"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
In today's world the role between father and mother have been highly debated. For the reality is in today's world both parents work or in the case of single parent families both the father and mother are working outside of the home. Some parents feel guilty for having to work or are shamed by others for not meeting the "perfect" family standard with one parent at home with the children.
However, the lord loves all his children and provides opportunities and doctrine to help strengthen family bonds. For in the eyes of the lord both father and mother are equal partners in nurturing and building their families. The lord also helps us realize not every family's needs are the same so its ok if your family dynamic is different from other families.
Family stewardships should be understood in terms of their responsibilities—obligations to one’s spouse, not power over one’s spouse. As we noted above, according to the Hebrew translation, Genesis 3:16 is more accurately understood to mean Adam “ruling with,” not “ruling over” Eve. President Hunter said: “The Lord intended that the wife be . . . a companion equal and necessary in full partnership. For a man to operate independent of or without regard to the feelings and counsel of his wife in governing the family is to exercise unrighteous dominion”
So, what can we do to help spouses nurture that love and respect for each other in their specific family roles?
1. Have family council to discuss concerns or expectations in family life
2, Set time aside as a couple to focus on each other.
3. Have new year priesthood blessings for the children and spouses.
4. Seek counsel from trusted leaders
5. Study the family proclamation as a couple and make goals to apply its doctrines.
"The doctrine of equal partnership in marriage points powerfully and gloriously to truth. Thus, it should not surprise us that social science research, even with its limitations, confirms the importance and benefits of equal partnership in marital and family relationships."
Equal partnership in marriage is both spouses working together for the betterment of their family and marriage relationship. I watched my grandparents work hard to be good parents and grandparents while respecting each other's efforts. Both of my grandparents worked outside of the home and more often than not my grandfather would be doing the household chores after he got home from work while grandmother worked late. Later on, when my grandfather retired, he took care of the bills, helped grandmother grade papers.
I never saw them fight or complain they simply dd what needed to be done for the harmony of the home. It was the same with my aunts and uncles' marriages for again both partners worked. Of course, looking on the outside you don't see the under tones or struggles they go through but when the couple has genuine love and respect for each other they don't let those struggles define their relationship.
Seeking the lords will and counsel will guide parents on what is right for their family bringing comfort and peace in these trying times. For the lord will never lead his children astray. So, if your family life looks different than what you had imagine take heart knowing the lord is loving and supporting you in all you do.
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