Are Families Really Forever?

[clackamascoug]

You mean that when someone says as a result of quantum emchanics your spouse may not be your primary spouse in eternity that your curisoutiy isnt aroused just a bit? That is more than just an assumption, IMO.

I thikn that the notion of families being together forever was very important back in the day. Recall all the vows of marriage said 'til death do us part, and at the time families were often rent due to circumstances and would never see each other agin. If your kids migrated west and were never again to cross yourt threshold, you would be greatly comforted knowing you would see them again in the afterlife.

Most of the stuff about how the sealing works and what life might be like is just that mivcy specualtion, IMO.

I'm sorry creek, one of my curses in life is to throw out an abstract concept, without concrete facts. My general point was about the concept of what constitutes a family in heaven, and why do we place so much emphasis on the Families are Forever, when it's basically impossible to live out considering the concept of Godhood.

The quantum mechanics is a reference to parallel universes where we live simultaneously to this life. Doctrinally, is supports the idea that the Saviors Atonement is infinite while still being only crucified on one planet. In theory, you may have married different people in different dimensions, and had kids with each. The upside is that you had a infinite amount of experiences, and relations. The downside, is that it makes a lot of the decisions in this "reality" a mute point. Somewhere SU is a Stake President, is an example. Probably its just a bunch of BS, but so much of the theory fits into the gospel context.

[Portland Ute]

Brother Porter was great, wasn't he?

[creekster]

I'm sorry creek, one of my curses in life is to throw out an abstract concept, without concrete facts. My general point was about the concept of what constitutes a family in heaven, and why do we place so much emphasis on the Families are Forever, when it's basically impossible to live out considering the concept of Godhood.

The quantum mechanics is a reference to parallel universes where we live simultaneously to this life. Doctrinally, is supports the idea that the Saviors Atonement is infinite while still being only crucified on one planet. In theory, you may have married different people in different dimensions, and had kids with each. The upside is that you had a infinite amount of experiences, and relations. The downside, is that it makes a lot of the decisions in this "reality" a mute point. Somewhere SU is a Stake President, is an example. Probably its just a bunch of BS, but so much of the theory fits into the gospel context.

No problem, I just didnt feel like it was nitpicking. I will leave the quantum mechanics issue aside for now, but while it is interesting from a physical and mechanical POV, I am not sure it squares with our (or at least my) noiton of a soul or even with some of the theories of consciousness that realte to quantum mechanics.

The sealing power has some importance, IMO. I am no sure what it is. But the focus on families are forever serves a couple of functions, as others have noted, and it includes the fact that by emphasizing it the church makes it more likely that people will pay more attention ot their families here.

[mUUser]

Families are forever is a beautiful concept.

God's love for His children as evidenced by agency, the Atonement, and Eternal Families are by far the most beautiful teachings under the Christian umbrella.

my multiple wives in heaven and billions of spirit children?

Promptly followed by a horrible teaching.

[LA Ute]

Just a note: I can't read D&C 128 and find it in myself in agreement with much that has been said here so far about eternal families being primarily a PR concept. Seems pretty cavalier to me.

18 I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times.

I like the Prophet's grand view of things.

[clackamascoug]

Just a note: I can't read D&C 128 and find it in myself in agreement with much that has been said here so far about eternal families being primarily a PR concept. Seems pretty cavalier to me.



I like the Prophet's grand view of things.

Keep going, that's a good start.

Is it DNA that welds us? Does our particular family DNA becomes our seed to our creations? Are the generational families links more important than the household family?

The whole Families are Forever feels more like kid ploy, than a scientific purpose for multi-generational links.

[LA Ute]

Keep going, that's a good start.

Is it DNA that welds us? Does our particular family DNA becomes our seed to our creations? Are the generational families links more important than the household family?

The whole Families are Forever feels more like kid ploy, than a scientific purpose for multi-generational links.

I just don't see the argument. First you make it clear how much we do not know about the hereafter, then, apparently disregarding that lack of knowledge, you make a definitive statement attacking the validity of what we are taught about it. I'm not getting the premise-conclusion connection here.

[Jeff Lebowski]

It sounds lovely, but I have no idea what "Families are Forever" means. I am not sure anybody does.

[LA Ute]

It sounds lovely, but I have no idea what "Families are Forever" means. I am not sure anybody does.

Well, I am going to hell for allowing trick or treating on Sunday and you will be there for undervaluing this eternal principle. I will be glad to have some company.

(Seriously, I do agree with you in part; I see "Families Are Forever" as a sloganized expression of the principle of/belief in the eternal family unit. My flippancy is another reason I will be in hell with you.)

[mUUser]

I just don't see the argument. First you make it clear how much we do not know about the hereafter, then, apparently disregarding that lack of knowledge, you make a definitive statement attacking the validity of what we are taught about it. I'm not getting the premise-conclusion connection here.

This is one area of the Gospel that makes perfect sense to me. A loving Heavenly Father is sure to understand the deep emotional bonds we'll make during this phase of our journey. Surely, he'd have a plan in place to cement those relationships -- if we so choose -- for eternity. What else would a loving parent do?

I'm not saying I believe we need all these elaborate ordinances on earth to accomplish that objective -- but that's an entirely different conversation.

[UtahDan]

No problem, I just didnt feel like it was nitpicking.

Not the best way for me to put it, but everyone seemed to be focused on it to the exclusion of the substance of what he was trying to talk about.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Not the best way for me to put it, but everyone seemed to be focused on it to the exclusion of the substance of what he was trying to talk about.

Damn UD, the new avatar is awesome!

[RC Vikings]

We had a hard enough time getting together once a week for FHE so I"m having my doubts about forever.

[cougjunkie]

I have no clue but the Hymn sure is catchy.

[Commando]

Bednar and his wife kind of debunked this during an FHE I had w/ then while I was at Ricks.


But isn't the doctrine clear that we will only enjoy free association with our parents, siblings, spouses, and offspring if we all keep our covenants and attain the same level of exaltation? That's how the family unit is intact. Not like this: