eternal marriage

“The words none elseeliminate everyone and
everything. The spouse then becomes preeminent
in the life of the husband or wife, and neither social
life nor occupational life nor political life nor any
other interest nor person nor thing shall ever take
precedence over the companion spouse” (Teachings
of Spencer W. Kimball,310–11).

President Ezra Taft Benson

“The question is sometimes asked by younger
priesthood holders, ‘Where do I place my greatest
priorities—to the Church, to my family, or to my
profession?’ I have answered that question by
emphasizing that heads of families have four major
responsibilities. Certainly the first is to the home
and family. There should be no question about this.
A man may succeed in business or his Church calling,
but if he fails in his home he will face eternity in
disappointment.... Home is the place where the
Lord intended a father’s greatest influence to be
felt” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson,509–10).

Elder John A. Widtsoe

“The Church is composed of homes. Church and
home cannot be separated. Neither one come first.
They are one” (Evidences and Reconciliations,318).

Elder Neal A. Maxwell

“Given the gravity of current conditions, would
parents be willing to give up just one outside thing,
giving that time and talent instead to the family?
Parents and grandparents, please scrutinize your
schedules and priorities in order to ensure that life’s
prime relationships get more prime time. Even
consecrated and devoted Brigham Young was once
told by the Lord, ‘Take especial care of your family’
(D&C 126:3). Sometimes it is the most conscientious
who need this message the most!” (in Conference
Report, Apr. 1994, 121; or Ensign,May 1994, 90).

A LETTER TO CHURCH MEMBERS

FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

Presidents Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson,
James E. Faust

Church News,27 Feb. 1999, 3

To: Members of the Church throughout the World

(To Be Read in Sacrament Meeting and Delivered by
Home Teachers)

Dear Brothers and Sisters:...

We counsel parents and children to give highest

priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel

study and instruction, and wholesome family

activities. However worthy and appropriate other

demands or activities may be, they must not be

permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties

that only parents and families can adequately

perform.

We urge bishops and other Church officers to do all

they can to assist parents in seeing that they have

time and help, where needed, as they nurture their

families and bring them up in the way of the Lord.

Wherever possible, Sunday meetings, other than

those under the three-hour schedule and perhaps

council meetings on early Sunday mornings or

firesides later in the evening, should be avoided so

that parents may be with their children. As we

strengthen families, we will strengthen the entire

Church.

Faithfully your brethren,

The First Presidency

PARENTS IN ZION

President Boyd K. Packer

Acting President

of the Quorum

of the Twelve Apostles

In Conference Report,

Oct. 1998, 27–30;

or Ensign,Nov.

1998, 22

Parents in Zion

In 1831 the Lord gave a revelation to parents in

Zion.^1 It is about parents that I wish to speak.

I have served in the Quorum of the Twelve for

28 years, and 9 years as an Assistant to the Twelve.

Put together, that makes 37years—exactly half my

life.

But I have another calling which I have held even

longer. I am a parent—a father and a grandfather. It

took years to earn the grandfathertitle—another

20 years the title of great-grandfather.These titles—

father, grandfather, mother, grandmother—carry

responsibility and an authority which comes in part

from experience. Experience is a compelling teacher.

PRIORITIES ANDBALANCE 277