The Purpose of Family: Why It Matters Now—and Forever

If you’ve ever wondered why family is such a big part of our beliefs as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the answer is simple: it’s because we believe families are eternal. Not just important. Not just helpful. Eternal.

I once heard about a young woman who lost her father just two weeks before her wedding. As she stood in the temple that day—heartbroken but hopeful—she whispered, “I know this isn’t the end.” Her sealing wasn’t just to her husband; it was a promise that she’d be with her dad again, too. That quiet moment in the celestial room has stayed with me ever since.

From the very beginning, God organized His children into families. That wasn’t a social trend or cultural convenience—it was divine design. He created families as the foundation for happiness in this life and preparation for life with Him in the next.

As taught in The Family: A Proclamation to the World,

“Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and… the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”

You can click the gold button above or below to download a beautiful printable copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

A Place to Love, Learn, and Become

The home is more than a house. It’s where love grows and character is shaped. In a family, husbands and wives are meant to support and strengthen each other. Children are nurtured, taught, and given space to grow in a stable, loving environment.

God designed families as a kind of classroom for our souls—where we learn patience, compassion, loyalty, and selflessness. These are the very traits that prepare us to become more like Him and to experience joy that lasts far beyond this life.

As it says in the Gospel Topics entry on “family”:

“God organizes us into families so we can experience happiness and learn patience and selflessness. These traits help us become more like God and prepare us to live happily as families throughout eternity.”

Families Strengthen Society, Too

Strong families bless more than just the individuals in them—they bless the world around them. A home where love, honesty, and hard work are taught becomes a springboard for responsible, compassionate adults. And when families flourish, communities, schools, and societies become stronger too.

Families Are Forever

This is the part that feels especially sacred to me: families don’t end with death.

We believe that families can be together forever—not as a comforting idea, but as a covenant promise made possible through Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.

When a husband and wife are sealed together in the temple by proper priesthood authority, their marriage isn’t just “till death do you part.” It’s eternal. That sealing extends to their children, uniting the family in heaven just as they were on earth—if they are faithful to the promises they’ve made with God.

This doctrine is one of the most beautiful parts of the gospel. It brings hope in times of loss, purpose in parenting, and sacredness to marriage.

Building a Strong Family, One Day at a Time

Eternal families don’t just happen automatically. They are built—one choice, one habit, one moment of patience at a time.

Husbands and wives are called to be equal partners. They work together to love, teach, and protect their children. And children, in turn, learn how to treat each other through the example their parents set.

In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, Church leaders taught that:

“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

That’s what truly matters. Not fancy vacations or perfect homes—but the love, kindness, and forgiveness we offer each other, just as the Savior would.

If you’re learning about these teachings for the first time, I hope you’ll feel the Spirit of love behind them. Our homes may not be perfect, but with Christ at the center, they can be holy. And with His help, families can last forever.

Want the Full LDS Wedding Planning Experience?

These articles are just a few of the beautiful tools I’ve created to help you plan a wedding centered on your covenants and filled with joy.

Sign up below to get instant access to the complete free wedding planning program—including printable checklists, budget tools, timeline guides, and 21 short, simple planning books to walk you through every step.

This site is not officially affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a personal project created by a member of the Church to help LDS brides and their families plan joyful, faith-centered LDS wedding celebrations.