Joseph Smith-Devoted Husband, Father

A Devoted Husband and Father

The heavy burden of leading the Church did not distract Joseph from his responsibility to his wife and children; it increased his love for them.

One of the later Prophets of the Church told the members, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” This statement came more than a century after Joseph Smith died, but Joseph exemplified this idea all his life. Even though Joseph was often persecuted and sometimes imprisoned on false charges, his first thoughts were always for his family. He wrote to his wife, Emma, while he was imprisoned in Missouri,

“Tell the children that I am alive and trust that I shall come and see them before long. Comfort their hearts all you can, and try to be comforted yourself all you can.”

Joseph lived the doctrine he preached—that strengthening our families should be an important focus of our lives. When his life was in jeopardy, Joseph relied on his faith in Jesus Christ not only to sustain himself, but his wife and children as well.

Why is family so important?

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3)"

"In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities..."

"We will use all of the resources we have to encourage greater harmony, greater love, and greater influence in the Lord’s special designated unit—the family.

We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes. Let me cite an example."

"...Oh, what impact advertising, television programs, the Internet, and the other media are having on our family units!

We remind you that parents are to preside over their own families."

"President Gordon B. Hinckley on family home evenings:

“‘We have a family home evening program once a week [Monday night] across the Church in which parents sit down with their children. They study the scriptures. They talk about family problems. They plan family activities and things of that kind. I don’t hesitate to say if every family in the world practiced that one thing, you’d see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world’ (interview, Boston Globe, 14 Aug. 2000).” ^2"

^"Family home evening is one of your callings. In fact, it is part of your most important calling—motherhood!"

"Parents are taught ways of building and maintaining close family ties, both in good times and in difficult times. The good spirit in these magazines will help fill your homes with warmth, love, and the strength of the gospel."

"...building an eternal family unit.

"...focus our attention on the most important organization the Lord has established here on earth."

“The Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, [and] beareth record of the Father and the Son. …

“[Then] in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

“And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: [If it were] not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

“And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters."

"...our families are not yet ours. The Lord has committed them to us to see how we will treat them. Only if we are faithful will they be given to us forever. What we do on earth determines whether or not we will be worthy to become heavenly parents."

“Monday nights are reserved throughout the Church for family home evenings. We encourage members to set aside this time to strengthen family ties and teach the gospel in their homes."

"...give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities."

"...gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary."

Taken from

The Importance of the Family

Elder L. Tom Perry

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Salvation involves the whole family...

"In an eternal sense, salvation is a family affair. God holds parents responsible for their stewardship in rearing their family. It is a most sacred responsibility.

Today we are aware of great problems in our society. The most obvious are sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, drug abuse, alcoholism, vandalism, pornography, and violence.

These grave problems are symptoms of failure in the home—the disregarding of principles and practices established by God in the very beginning."

"...many families throughout the world are undergoing great stress and trauma. Many parents have been enticed to abandon their responsibilities in the home to seek after an elusive “self-fulfillment.”

"A married couple have an obligation not only to each other, but to God. He has promised blessings to those who honor that covenant."

"...Prayer in the home and prayer with each other will strengthen your union. Gradually thoughts, aspirations, and ideas will merge into a oneness until you are seeking the same purposes and goals."

"Spiritual growth comes by solving problems together—not by running from them. Today’s inordinate emphasis on individualism brings egotism and separation. Two individuals becoming “one flesh” is still the Lord’s standard. (See Gen. 2:24.)"

"The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other."

"Rearing happy, peaceful children is no easy challenge in today’s world, but it can be done, and it is being done.

Responsible parenthood is the key."

"Above all else, children need to know and feel they are loved, wanted, and appreciated. They need to be assured of that often..."

"Children need to know who they are in the eternal sense of their identity."

"Children must be taught to pray, to rely on the Lord for guidance, and to express appreciation for the blessings that are theirs..."

"Families must spend more time together in work and recreation. Family home evenings should be scheduled once a week...

...Like iron links in a chain, this practice will bind a family together, in love, pride, tradition, strength, and loyalty."

"The most important teachings in the home are spiritual..."

"Eternal life may be obtained only by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

When parents themselves have complied with the ordinances of salvation, when they have set the example of a temple marriage, not only is their own marriage more likely to succeed, but their children are far more likely to follow their example."

"Thank God for the joys of family life. I have often said there can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from a good home. The sweetest influences and associations of life are there."

Quotes from

Salvation—A Family Affair

By President Ezra Taft Benson