The Doctrine of Family Is The Doctrine of Christ & WINNERS of the RSVP Giveaway

Pop Quiz:  What does the story of Job teach us about Family?
(...answer in a minute...)


Most people think of the trials of Job and recall his faithful testimony and resilience.  But for me, the story of Job is also a testament of the consistency of the gospel of Christ and the eternal nature of the truths found in The Family Proclamation.


 In addition to the many lessons that Job (and we in turn) learned through his trials, we learn that God's people knew about the eternal nature of family, even way back when.

That's right.

Check it out:  In the beginning of the story, we are told that Job had 10 children (seven sons and three daughters.)  We also learn that he had 7,000 sheep and 3,000 camels, and many servants, and so forth.


As the story progresses, Job loses all of his livestock to one tragedy or another.
In addition to that, all of his children die in a freak accident.


Many sicknesses, boils, and one awesome testimony of Christ later, Job proves faithful, and the Lord returns everything that Job had lost...only He doubles it.


So, in the end, Job has 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels, and so on.


And his kids?  


Job begets seven sons and three daughters.  And it says that in the land were none fairer.


Well, that's nice and all, but if I'm doing my math right, shouldn't he have been given 14 sons and 6 daughters?


What the text does not say, but what is understood, is that because of the doctrine of the eternal family, Job never really lost his first 10 children.  They were all sealed his in eternity.  So the addition of 7 more sons and 3 more beautiful daughters, actually was a doubling of his blessings in offspring.


Obviously, in their day, and to the intended reading audience, the idea that families are forever was so basic and so core to their beliefs that this fact required no further explanation.


However in our day, (although I think that many still hope that families are forever), a basic understanding of the true nature of family and its place in Christ's gospel is fading fast.


That is why the Family Proclamation has been given to us.  
That is why we must teach our children the truths found therein.


As Sister Julie B. Beck has taught, the scriptures have stacked a pretty solid body of evidence to attest to this fact:  The gospel of Christ is based on the doctrine of Family.
And His full gospel includes and is eternally linked to the truths about family, so succinctly outlined in The Family Proclamation.

(You can read her entire talk here.)

Here is one of my favorite lines from her talk,

"we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ," and His full doctrine, 

His doctrine which is based on the theology of the family.  

We are "not ashamed of the gospel of [Jesus] Christ" or His doctrine."

I humbly add my testimony to hers when I say that I support The Family Proclamation, 

because it IS Christ's doctrine, 
and by supporting the doctrine of the family,
I am supporting and following Him.

~~~~~~


I hope that you will all carve out a little time each day in September to join us for our discussions on family!  From what I have gleaned from the posts so far, it's going to be quite an amazing experience...sort of like a month-long retreat...only its free and you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home!!


Please consider blogging about it, sharing your testimony, commenting, and linking-up each day!  (Click here to read more about the themes for the link-ups!)
You could share something that inspires another person, so please do!
Share away!

NOW TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS 
OF THE 
RSVP GIVEAWAY


The Prizes:


This cool plaque by Strawberry Pearl


WINNER:

Comment #86:  Christina!

WINNER of a $30 gift certificate to Baby Blvd...




COMMENT #108:  hwscutie
I think that's you, Holly!



Winner of this beautiful Family Tree pendant from Home Studio (with matching chain!)




COMMENT #235:  Cassi!!!





WINNER of His and Hers Matching Keychains
by Sweet Melly Jane





COMMENT #207:  CINDY!

~~AND A BONUS PRIZE FOR IDAHO READERS ONLY~~

Desserts On Demand


WINNER:


Tanelle!!


*If you won, please email me at jocelyn (dot) christensen (at) gmail


CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to everyone who donated prizes!


And tune in on Wednesday as we
CELEBRATE FAMILY!