Families

I'd like to share some quick thoughts on family. This is my own and yes there are eight of us kids (the big guy standing up is Alyssa's husband). While we might appear to be a picture perfect family (no pun intended), we are anything but. However, knowing that we have this life to continually overcome the challenges we face together and grow closer together makes a huge difference. I testify of the power of priesthood, the power of God on earth today, and that it has the ability to bind families not only for this life but the one to come. I cannot imagine where I'd be without the one that I have today. I don't know if there's such thing as a normal day at my house because things are so crazy most of the time, but I know that we all have the same goal of being an eternal family, and that makes all the difference. I am especially grateful to my parents for having the courage to raise all eight of us and loving each individual one for who we are. Having a knowledge of these things inspires me and helps me to better learn how I will raise my own family someday. I know that all of our families are extremely different and we all come from various backgrounds, but I hope that we all can come to realize the power that such units can have in this life and eternity. I encourage everyone to strive to be the most positive influence not only in their immediate family, but in the world as a whole, for we are all children of God. I believe if that the world would embrace this truth, so many problems could be resolved. In the words of one of my favorite Book fo Mormon prophets, Nephi, "And I pray the Father, in the name of Christ, that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day."- 2 Nephi 33:12

Also, youtube isn't liking me very much tonight, so rather than attempting to embed the link, just google Familes Can Be Together Forever and click on the link with the title that has Mormon Messages attached to it. It is a simple, yet powerful video.