Why is family so important?

Well, I guess I should introduce myself and my blog. I am the youngest of eight children, so we can say that I have had A LOT of funny stories/experiences that I will be sharing throughout this blog. I love my family with all my heart and I wouldn't trade them for the world! Currently, I am a freshman at BYU-I and I love the life, but not the endless work that goes with it. I will be writing about the different topics that we discuss in my family relations class and how they affect us. This week I decided that I would just start with the family and why it is so important. The first thing I thought of was that it is the center of God's plan for us. In one of my church handbooks it says: "He established families to bring us happiness, to help us learn correct principle in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare us for eternal life." This is such an amazing gift that is given to us and we always have someone there to love and care for us. For me family was essential to my happiness and to my success. Growing up I have learned so much from my siblings and their influence has shaped the person I am today and the person I am still trying to become. In family it is essential to stay united and to strengthen and help one another. My parents were always supportive of whatever I chose to pursue and encouraged me to do my best. Siblings were always there if I needed help or encouragement. If the home life is not a positive one or one that you want then I would encourage you to learn from those things. Try to change it now or when you have your own family. Elder David A. Bednar said " Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul.” This is why family is so important. We learn, grow, experience love, loss, and hardships. All of that is done with the support and love of those around you. It makes all of it easier to bear. It can be hard to always love and get a long with them, but I know as we do our best to love our families life will be a much better experience!