Doctrinal Library

Marriage and Family

God has commanded His children to multiply and replenish the earth (see Genesis 1:28). The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between a man and a woman who have been lawfully wedded as husband and wife (see Genesis 39:9; Alma 39:9). Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. Parents are to rear their children in love and righteousness and provide for their physical and spiritual needs.

Chapter 23: Developing a Christlike Character

Our life, our being, physically, is made up of little heart beats. Let that little heart stop beating, and life in this world ceases.

As I Have Loved You

As I have loved you,
Love one another.
This new commandment:
Love one another.
By this shall men know
Ye are my disciples,
If ye have love
One to another.

Choose the Right

1. Choose the right when a choice is placed before you.
In the right the Holy Spirit guides;
And its light is forever shining o’er you,
When in the right your heart confides.

[Chorus]
Choose the right! Choose the right!
Let wisdom mark the way before.
In its light, choose the right!
And God will bless you evermore.

2. Choose the right! Let no spirit of digression
Overcome you in the evil hour.
There’s the right and the wrong to ev’ry question;
Be safe thru inspiration’s pow’r.

3. Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the right! There’s safety for the soul.
Choose the right in all labors you’re pursuing;
Let God and heaven be your goal.

Abortion

In today’s society, abortion has become a common practice, defended by deceptive arguments. If you face questions about this matter, you can be secure in following the revealed will of the Lord. Latter-day prophets have denounced abortion, referring to the Lord’s declaration, “Thou shalt not … kill, nor do anything like unto it” (D&C 59:6).

Lesson 17: The Commandment to Multiply and Replenish the Earth

When we understand that children are gifts from God, we better understand the sanctity of their lives. In many parts of the world, abortion is considered acceptable, and many millions of abortions are performed each year. To help students understand the Church’s policy on abortion, share the following statement and ask students to listen for circumstances when an abortion might be justified.

Teach Me to Walk in the Light

1. Teach me to walk in the light of his love;
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right;
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.

2. Come, little child, and together we’ll learn
Of his commandments, that we may return
Home to his presence, to live in his sight—
Always, always to walk in the light.

3. Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day
For loving guidance to show us the way.
Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight!
Gladly, gladly we’ll walk in the light.

The Plan of Salvation

We used our agency to follow Heavenly Father’s plan. Those who followed Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were permitted to come to the earth to experience mortality and progress toward eternal life. Lucifer, another spirit son of God, rebelled against the plan. ...
The Fall is an essential part of Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. As a result of the Fall, Adam and Eve could have children. They and their posterity could experience joy and sorrow, know good from evil, and progress (see 2 Nephi 2:22–25).
In mortality our spirits are united with our physical bodies, giving us opportunities to grow and develop in ways that were not possible in the premortal life. Because our Father in Heaven has a tangible body of flesh and bone, our bodies are necessary for us to progress and become like Him. Our bodies are sacred and should be respected as a gift from our Heavenly Father (see 1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

Keep the Commandments

Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!
In this there is safety; in this there is peace.
He will send blessings; He will send blessings.
Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments.
In this there is safety and peace.

Abortion

[Selected teachings from Spencer W. Kimball, Gordon B. Hinckley, Boyd K. Packer, Russell M. Nelson, and more.]