Finding Christ in Families, Church

By Brother Mack

​The Family Proclamation was given in 1995 by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It was far ahead of its time, and we see today why it was essential to gain a testimony of marriage and family. 

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​Not all families are the same. Sometimes it might seem like there are perfect families around us, but in reality, no family is even close to perfect. Even Jesus Christ came from a nontraditional family. Jesus has his fantastic mom Mary, a stepfather Joseph, and half-siblings. And Heavenly Father has all the steps in place for families to be eternal. We must believe and have a strong testimony of the doctrine of the family and marriage as contained in The Family Proclamation. ​​

Another document produced by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is The Living Christ. This declaration was issued in the year 2000. Similar to The Family Proclamation's publication ahead of its time, I suggest that The Living Christ was also presented far ahead of its time. We live in a world where followers of Jesus Christ are greatly criticized. We need to have a testimony of Jesus Christ. Church programs do not save us. We are saved through His atonement and saving ordinances.

I went to a work meeting and was told a story that has changed how I think. Years ago, Elder Corbridge was interviewing a handful of men and their wives for the vacant position of stake president. Elder Corbridge told the newly called stake president that he and his wife had raised their five sons in the gospel, but he would raise them slightly differently going forward. Elder Corbridge said he spoke to the boys about the church. But he said he would change that focus slightly: He would talk more about becoming like Jesus Christ. 

I add that we go to youth activities to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. We go to church to learn to love others as Jesus did. We attend our meetings to learn of Him. We go to the temple to learn to follow and be like Him. We serve in callings because Jesus served, and with dedicated service, we become like Him. We prepare lessons and talks to speak of Him. All that we do in the church is to be like Him. But it is the Savior who saves: Nothing else, nor anyone else, can save us. I hope that in all that we do in the church, we make that connection to Jesus Christ. I also hope that the message of the gospel, which is Jesus Christ, gets from our minds to our hearts. 

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice of Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (2 Nephi 25:26).