Refuge From the Storms
By Jen Thatcher, MS
@SmallSimpleTruths
One summer day, our family went to Pineview Reservoir with a group of friends. We had just begun playing on the beach when we noticed grey clouds moving across the sky. We figured we still had some sunshine, so we continued playing. Just a few minutes later, the storm hit us! Sand blew fiercely across the beach, stinging our bodies like piercing needles. We could barely open our eyes to find our belongings and quickly run to safety. It was scary, painful, and completely avoidable.
Do you ever feel like your family is in the middle of a spiritual storm? No doubt we are living in “perilous times” (2 Timothy 3:1). We are witnessing storms in the world around us, and many of us face storms within our own homes.
President Packer warned: “The ultimate purpose of the adversary, who has ‘great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time,’ [Revelation 12:12] is to disrupt, disturb, and destroy the home and the family” (May, 1994).
Satan knows that in order to destroy God’s plan, his central target must be the family. But let’s be clear: Satan’s attack isn’t just on “the family” at large. His piercing attack is geared toward each individual family, and is often pointed toward women, because our righteous influence impacts generations.
But we don’t need to live in fear. God knew these storms would come, and He has provided refuge for us.
“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” was given by Prophets an entire generation ago, in preparation for when we would need it most. That day is now. We can’t afford to sit back and wait until the storms gets worse.
As defenders of our families and with the Savior’s help, we can make our homes a refuge. The proclamation shows us how to create that place of safety.
How can we access greater spiritual safety from the teachings of the proclamation?
Study it Prayerfully
When was the last time you read this inspired document? It’s not enough to have it displayed in our homes. It must be fresh in our minds, and written in our hearts.
As you take the time to prayerfully read the proclamation, the Spirit will testify once again that the truths are from God. You will find that each paragraph is concise, powerful, bold, and prophetic.
Study it with a pen in hand. Underline and identify the eternal truths it declares; each one serves as “armor” to protect us against Satan’s blows.
As you read, seek for personal revelation. The Spirit can deliver specific guidance for you and your family. When thoughts and impressions come to your mind, write them down and discuss them with your spouse and children.
Identify Satan’s Attacks
Julie B. Beck taught: “In addition to understanding the theology of the family, we all need to understand the threats to the family. If we don’t, we can’t prepare for the battle” (Ensign, March 2011).
If you look at each of the doctrines taught in the proclamation, you can quickly identify the counterfeit lies Satan is teaching to cause confusion. Next to each eternal truth you’ve underlined, write down each counterargument, ideology or social trend you have observed in our world today. Discuss these in your families to help your children gain a better understanding of Satan’s cunning deceptions.
Discuss the More Difficult Topics
As our world continues to decline further and further away from God’s laws, some of the teachings in the proclamation may seem controversial or outdated. It is absolutely critical that we address these topics with our children, and help them find answers to questions that arise.
Don’t be deceived by convincing arguments that dismiss the teachings in the proclamation. As you seek for a deeper understanding, look to the scriptures and words of the prophets as your source of truth.
In these critical conversations, we can teach the importance of diversity, love and tolerance, while still holding to the truths which God has given us.
In conclusion, President Ezra Taft Benson taught that “every generation has its tests and its chance to stand and prove itself” (1977). In reference to that point, President Oaks recently said, “I believe our attitude toward and use of the family proclamation is one of those tests for this generation” (Ensign, 2017).
The sandstorms of life are real, and they threaten each one of our families. But we can have peace and hope, knowing that God is with us. He knows the opposition we face, and He will fortify us as we turn to the Savior for healing and strength.
We don’t have to fit perfectly into the proclamation “mold” to be blessed by its teachings. God understands each complex situation. He knows when our unique circumstances call for “individual adaptation”. He will guide us along as we strive to follow our Savior by knowing and living the teachings in the family proclamation.