What comes first: God or family?

[SoonerCoug]

God or family first?

[smokymountainrain]

I don't think I've ever had to choose and I doubt I ever will. Perhaps I don't understand the question, because to me it isn't much different than asking something like... Which is more important for a peanut butter and jam sandwich: the peanut butter and jam or the bread?

[Moliere]

I'm not sure but I know football is fifth

[SoonerCoug]

I don't think I've ever had to choose and I doubt I ever will. Perhaps I don't understand the question, because to me it isn't much different than asking something like... Which is more important for a peanut butter and jam sandwich: the peanut butter and jam or the bread?

People choose religion over family or family over religion all the time.

Have you ever heard of someone being disowned by their family because of their religious choices? How about people who stop associating with their families because of their religious beliefs? I have seen both happen.

[pellegrino]

I don't think I've ever had to choose and I doubt I ever will. Perhaps I don't understand the question, because to me it isn't much different than asking something like... Which is more important for a peanut butter and jam sandwich: the peanut butter and jam or the bread?

that's approaching holy trinity status right there.


Sooner, I don't have a good answer to your question. I think I would say yes to both.

[smokymountainrain]

People choose religion over family or family over religion all the time.

Have you ever heard of someone being disowned by their family because of their religious choices? How about people who stop associating with their families because of their religious beliefs? I have seen both happen.

Okay - religion or family. Thanks for the clarification.

I can't imagine God would want a family to disown somebody because of their religious beliefs or wanting a person to stop associating with their family due to their religious beliefs. Hence, my confusion. But thanks. Now I'll vote.

[SoonerCoug]

Okay - religion or family. Thanks for the clarification.

I can't imagine God would want a family to disown somebody because of their religious beliefs or wanting a person to stop associating with their family due to their religious beliefs. Hence, my confusion. But thanks. Now I'll vote.

I guess another example would be family disowning someone because that person lacks religious belief.

[smokymountainrain]

I guess another example would be family disowning someone because that person lacks religious belief.

Another example of a situation where the family, in my opinion, most likely isn't doing what God would have them do. So they are definitely not choosing God over family, IMHO. Religion over family, yes.

[CardiacCoug]

Obviously depends on how you define God.

I said family, but I don't think it's totally off base to say there are some type of fundamental (divine?) values/principles that would even take precedence over commitments to family members in certain situations.

[pellegrino]

Sooner, the problem with this poll is that it conflates God with religion, which aren't necessarily the same thing, no matter what the High Priests in your ward say. I would say that the highest dedication to God is found in one's dedication to family.

[smokymountainrain]

Sooner, the problem with this poll is that it conflates God with religion, which aren't necessarily the same thing, no matter what the High Priests in your ward say. I would say that the highest dedication to God is found in one's dedication to family.

Thank you. That is what I've been trying to say, but couldn't spit it out.

[CardiacCoug]

I think the narrative in Breaking Bad is a good example of a dilemma between commitment to family and commitment to God (values/morals).

Clearly Walter has decided that he is willing to offend God mightily in the service of family. But it's not really working out for his family, either, despite his good intentions for his family. And I know it's just a TV show, but for me there is a lesson there.

[LiveCoug]

People choose religion over family or family over religion all the time.

Have you ever heard of someone being disowned by their family because of their religious choices? How about people who stop associating with their families because of their religious beliefs? I have seen both happen.

God would not want anyone to disown their own family based on their religious choices.

[Solon]

Luke 14.25-26 notwithstanding, I think almost everyone will answer "family" when the question is posed like this.

However, I can think of several less extreme examples where (LDS) people clearly chose church over family - usually having to do with going to meetings, fulfilling callings, etc. Some sacrifice is good and admirable, but we've probably all seen it to the extreme.

Right now I'm thinking of a relative who flew home (to a different state) this summer so that he could conduct sacrament meeting, leaving his wife to drive the 16 hours home alone with their 3 young kids (one just 3 months old). I disagreed with his decision (so did his wife), but it's up to them to work out that church-family balance, I guess.

[wuapinmon]

Sooner, the problem with this poll is that it conflates God with religion, which aren't necessarily the same thing, no matter what the High Priests in your ward say. I would say that the highest dedication to God is found in one's dedication to family.

Much wisdom issues from the mouth and pen of our resident pilgrim.