One Big Family

Day forty-two

My oldest son turned nineteen yesterday and as we were celebrating his special day I couldn't help but feel a very overwhelming feeling of gratitude to my Father in Heaven for allowing me to be a part of this amazing young man's life.  So this morning I made sure to let my Father know that I love my family very much.  I am so grateful that we found each other and get to share our earthly experiences together.  I let him know that I recognize His hand in the blessing of my family and that my testimony of the importance of family grows each day!

I am studying Article of Faith 11:

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

I have always loved this Article of Faith.  I grew up in a home where two different religions were practiced and respected.  I was raised to not find fault in other religions, but to seek out the good in them, the shared beliefs, and build relationships on that foundation.  I am truly grateful to my parents for teaching me this lesson.

I want to share a statement that was made in 1978:

STATEMENT OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY REGARDING GOD’S LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND
February 15,1978

Based upon ancient and modern revelation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gladly teaches and declares the Christian doctrine that all men and women are brothers and sisters, not only by blood relationship from mortal progenitors, but also as literal spirit children of an Eternal Father.

The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God’s light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals.

The Hebrew prophets prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, who should provide salvation for all mankind who believe in the gospel.

Consistent with these truths, we believe that God has given and will give to all people sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation, either in this life or in the life to come.

We also declare that the gospel of Jesus Christ, restored to his Church in our day, provides the only way to a mortal life of happiness and a fullness of joy forever. For those who have not received this gospel, the opportunity will come to them in the life hereafter if not in this life.

Our message therefore is one of special love and concern for the eternal welfare of all men and women, regardless of religious belief, race, or nationality, knowing that we are truly brothers and sisters because we are the sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father.

Spencer W. Kimball
N. Eldon Tanner
Marion G. Romney 

The first time I read this statement I was so grateful for the message that it gives. It clarified for me how the Lord works through people to bring about His truth. I had often wondered how such profound teachings that came from these different religious leaders and philosophers could have come from any other source.  What a great blessing to have a prophet of God verify what I had been taught. 

So my prayer is that we will see people of other religions for what they are, our brothers and sisters, and that we will treat them with respect and look for ways to create better relationships with them.  After all, we are  one big family!