Everything worth advocating for begins and ends in the family. Why? Because family is the most important thing we have – not only in this life, but for eternity. The family is where we love the most and learn the most. The family is where we have some of our best and worst experiences. And where would you be without yours? The final paragraph of The Family: A Proclamation to the World states: “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” But how can we do that? It seems like such a daunting task! Here are 5 easy ways you can advocate for families that fit right into your daily life. |
1. The absolute, number one thing you can do is: Live your religion in the public square. Your religion is the core of who you are – so be true to yourself and to your religion! Take your family with you on outings and treat them with respect – show people how great having a family is! Put the Savior’s name on wedding invites by writing out the full name of the church where your reception will be. Hold hands with your spouse in public (This is super easy, romantic, and shows people that marriage is a real thing!) What other ideas do you have? Comment!
2. Share good and uplifting things on social media. Include what you believe in your regular conversation and life. Post about your family and how much you love them! Take your talents or passions or interests and overlay them with gospel principles. This is as easy as having a picture of the temple on the wall in the background of the family selfie you post, or wearing a ctr ring in a video you make. Or simply find something that inspires you and share it! Check mormon.org and christmas.mormon.org for inspiring videos, quotes, and memes on the family.
3. Cultivate friendships with moral people of other faiths. LDS people aren’t the only ones who treasure and promote families. Even though people differ in their beliefs, most agree in their love and appreciation of families. Building bridges is easy, and you may get a chance to share about eternal families while you’re at it! Plus, people of other faiths can be some of your greatest allies when it comes to promoting the family or advocating against policies and laws that could harm it.
4. Listen! Don’t be afraid to let people with differing views explain their opinions. If you give them your time and attention, they will generally return the favor. And when it is your turn to speak, remember that it isn’t always about changing people’s minds - a lot of times it’s just about informing them. So come with your testimony. Come with the Holy Ghost. Come with a knowledge of social science. And be willing to speak with kindness and passion when it is time.
5. Have Faith. Don’t let fear stop you. Promoting the family is the Lord’s work, and He will be on your side as you do so. Don’t worry about what you will say or how you will respond to people with questions. You know what you believe, and you know how important your family is to you. And that’s enough! Just be willing to let the Lord use you. If you’re brave you can even pray for these opportunities to be given to you!
6. BONUS! Speak with conviction. Do we really believe what we say? And are we willing to sound like we do? The following video is the PERFECT explanation of this.
Even if you feel like your efforts aren’t making a difference, they will make a difference in you and they will make a difference in your children. Show them through your words and example (your life!) how to promote and support the family and they will go on to do the same. Edmund Burke said that “the only thing required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” You are good. Do something. If not you, then who?