Importance of Family

Ive been thinking about family a little bit and what they actually are. I have nothing in common with them really. I am of a different religion, I look nothing like them, and we don't share any of the same interests really. So why do I hold them so high? They could make fun of me or make me feel horrible about something but I would take a bullet for any of them. The truth is that we chose our families before we came here to Earth in the preexistence. No matter how dysfunctional they are I know that they are mine because I want them to be. I need them and they need me and thats just how it works. I chose them for a reason and Ive been looking for that reason lately. What they are mine. Well as I look and keep my heart open to the idea that i chose them, I am starting to notice the small things that bring us all together and make us a family. I notice the way we all look out for each other and the different things we all bring to the table. We may not all be the same type of people but we do balance each other out. I am so grateful for families. I am grateful for my family most of all and hope that they feel that way too. My advice is if you think you got it bad then step back and really look. You may be surprised to find that you are made for your family.

Understanding Matthew 13

In Matthew 13 we read about the parable of the tares and the wheat. While the men slept, the enemy sowed tares in with the wheat. They grew together side by side. When everyone realized this the servants were unsure what to do. The master said let them both grow together until they can be harvested. Then they will bind up the tares and burn them while saving the bundles of wheat. When I first read this I had no idea what the message was. Then I read D&C 86. The enemy is obviously Satan. The tares are false doctrines that keep us from our heavenly father and those that spread it in order to keep us from him. The wheat is the righteous who strive to do well. We grow together side by side on this earth. We influence how each other grows. In the final days those who are "tares" will not be spared but those who were righteous will be. This does not mean that we are either a tare or wheat. We can start off as wheat then become a tare or start a tare and become wheat. We get the choice of whichever we want to be. If we follow Christ's example we can all be like wheat and saved when Christ comes again. Do not let tares hold you back.