So,
we had 2 investigators T and A, who were taught by the previous Elders
about 3 months ago, get legally MARRIED a few days ago! It was the best.
There was miscommunication/direction, and we were not able to find the
Baptist Church where it was held, but I am so glad that they took that
step. Together they have 5 of the cutest and nicest kids ever! Hours
before the ceremony, we went over with Elder Moody, who is also a Sealer
and gave they marriage advice and council. Since I didn't really have
anything, Elder Moody and I both brought the Family Proclaimation to the
World unplanned and we went over a few parts of it:
WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and
the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a
woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s
plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male
and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit
son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine
nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual
premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit
sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and
accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and
gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately
realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan
of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the
grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it
possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for
families to be united eternally.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that
God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as
husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to
multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare
that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be
employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and
wife.
WE DECLARE the
means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We
affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
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” (Psalm 127:3).
Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and
righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to
teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of
God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and
wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the
discharge of these obligations.
THE FAMILY is
ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His
eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of
matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital
vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to
be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on
principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love,
compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine
design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and
righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and
protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for
the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers
and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.
Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual
adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
WE WARN that
individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or
offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day
stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration
of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the
calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
WE CALL UPON responsible
citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those
measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the
fundamental unit of society.
I
want to challenge all y'all to print it out (you can use the link
above to get a nice format) and hang it somewhere where your family can
easily read it often/a high traffic area in your home because I know
that it will bless your lives even more than you can imagine. I had it
on my fridge when I was in college, and I would read it when I wasn't
studying my books. And at my Mom's house, it was hanging up at the
bottom of the stairs. In my current apartment, they are just kind of
hanging up everywhere, including the bathroom. It was the best.
A
lot of extremely awesome things happened this week including M! He
came to church this sunday and everyone absolutly loved him! I am so
excited, we are going to start the 12-step addiction recovery program
with him. The link to a website is below. I heard that the key is to
write out all of the answers to the questions on their own.
I feel so blessed to be here right now! Y'all take care! I love you!
Sister Toomey
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| an out door baptismal font at one of many Baptist Churchs |
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| We found a target while we were with other sisters and we were a little excited about the costumes! Comp Unity! |
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| These are some awesome members in our branch, and we spent most of a day finding members in her quadrant of the branch! Shout-out to her cute boys to being so great! I also had the best shrimp/chinese food of my life with them this week! |
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