THE SACRED DUTY OF PARENTS DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 68.

THE SACRED DUTY OF PARENTSDOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 68

When section 68 was given, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family were living with the John and Alice Johnson family in Hiram, Ohio. This revelation is addressed to Elders Luke S. and Lyman E. Johnson, Orson Hyde, and William E. McLellin. These men all later served as missionaries and then as Apostles.

CONTEXT

Something that seems easy, but is hard to do…Journal: Define the word “scripture”

2 Peter 1:21Articles of Faith 1:9

D&C 1:37-38D&C 68:3-4

Bible Dictionary

Ask me 10 yes‑or‑no questions to guess this man’s calling

  The Presiding Bishopric has been responsible for temporal affairs:• Receiving, distributing, and accounting for tithes• Administration of programs to assist the poor and needy• Design, construction, and maintenance of places of

worship• Auditing and transferring records of membership

(in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. [1992], 3:1128).

Presiding Bishop must be called by who? (see vv. 15)Your bishop was approved by who? (see vv. 19–20). What qualifications must a bishop have? (see vv. 15, 19)Write a letter to your Bishop

Doctrine and Covenants 68

Is this Scripture?

Something that seems easy, but is hard to do…Journal: Define the word “family”

• What are the components of an ideal family? (list) • Compare with Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–31

THE PROCLAMATIONThe family is ordained of God. 1. Marriage between man and woman

is essential to His eternal plan. 2. 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: 3. founded upon the teachings of the

Lord Jesus Christ. 4. 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:1. preside over their families in love

and righteousness 2. and are responsible to provide the

necessities of life 3. and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for:1. 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.

Mothers

Fathers

How should the roles and responsibilities of mothers and fathers be viewed?

separate and distinct?

complimentary, but supportive?

the same?

THE ROLE OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES

Women/Wives/Moms Men/Husbands/Dads

Genesis 2:18Ephesians 5:22, 33Titus 2:4Colossians 3:18-191 Peter 3:1

Colossians 3:18-191 Corinthians 11:3Ephesians 5:25Ephesians 5:28-291 Peter 3:7

THE PROCLAMATION - RESPONSIBILITIES• Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to • love and • care for each other and for their children.

• 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.

“Marriage, in its truest form, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other, but, rather, with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, Aug. 1992, Ensign, p. 6

What have YOU learned from being in a family?

“The shield of faith is not produced in a factory but at home. The ultimate purpose of all we teach is to unite parents and children in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are happy at home, sealed in an eternal marriage, and assured of exaltation in the presence of our Heavenly Father.”

Boyd K. Packer, “The Shield of Faith,” April Conference 1995

THE SACRED DUTY OF PARENTSDOCTRINE AND COVENANTS 68