LAST November, a colloquium on the family was held at the Vatican. Present were representatives from 14 different faiths and six continents.

Pope Francis opened: “We now live in a culture of the temporary, in which more and more people are simply giving up on marriage as a public commitment. This revolution in manners and morals has often flown the flag of freedom, but in fact it has brought spiritual and material devastation to countless human beings, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.”

A wide variety of worldwide religious leaders addressed the subject of marriage, expressing support for one another’s beliefs on the sanctity of the institution of marriage and families as the basic unit of society. They also united on the values, loyalty and commitment naturally associated with family.

Henry B. Eyring representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bore witness to the beauty of a committed marriage and to our belief in the promised blessing of eternal families, taking the commitment of marriage to a greater level believing that families go back to before this earth and go forward into eternity.

This doctrine is taught so simply in the words of a hymn sung often by children in the church.

Families can be together forever

Through Heavenly Father’s plan.

I always want to be with my own family,

And the Lord has shown me how I can.

Marriage and family ties can continue beyond the grave. Our marriage ceremonies eliminate “till death do us part” saying instead, “for time and for all eternity.”

Once married with children, the true commonality among mankind becomes more evident. As “family people we share many of the same struggles, adjustments, hopes, worries, and dreams for our children.”

Bishop Aydin Arabacioglu

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

www.lds.org.uk