Dear, sweet Family I met at the Dentist's Office:

I didn't take the opportunity to speak with you very much yesterday at the dentist's office but I observed a few things about your family and if I had the opportunity to speak with you again, there are some things I know that you should know.

First, I could tell that you love your husband, he loves you, and the both of you dearly love the children and they feel that love.  That love that you have for one another is natural and beautiful and sacred, and it comes because you treat each other in Christ-like ways.  It is born out of sacrifice, sacrifice of self in order for the benefit and welfare of the others.  It also comes from obedience, obedience to eternal laws, laws that govern the heart as well as behavior.  Most of those principles can be found in this document:  The Family, A Proclamation to the World.

I am sure there are many principles in that document that may be new to you.  Ponder about them, think on them and pray to know if they are true.  God, our Heavenly Father loves you and your husband and your children.  You are all His children also.  As much as you and your sweet husband love your children, God loves us that much more.  He desires each of us to be eternally happy and to have all of the blessings that would bring that happiness to us.  But He also knows that to just give them to us without effort on our part would not be what will teach us the most and help us to change and become like Him. We must obey His laws to receive those blessings. (See here for scriptural references that back up this truth.)

Though many churches teach some of these principles, Jesus Christ set up His church that teaches all of these principles.  It is the same church He organized when He was on the earth.  He gave those prophets power and authority, His power and authority to do those things that He would do, so that all of us would know what God expects of us.  When the apostles who lived with the Savior all died, that authority was lost.  But it has been restored in our day, by the Savior, through those ancient apostles.  (You can read more about that by clicking this LINK.)  

It all began when a young boy, Joseph Smith, at the age of 14 was wondering which church he should join.  He knew God loved him and he knew God would have a specific church.  He just was unsure which one it was, so he asked God through prayer which was His church.  (You can learn more about him here and read his personal testimony and experience here.)

In the Joseph Smith History, linked above, verse 34 reads:
34 He said there was a ^abook deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the ^bfulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;

The book to which he is referring today is commonly known as The Book of Mormon, and it does contain the fulness of the everlasting gospel.  I have read this book many times.  I love it.  Through its study, my family comes closer to Jesus Christ.  I know the book testifies of Him and witnesses of His gospel and His love for each of us.  The principles taught in this book, through the stories and histories of its people, are the same principles taught in the Bible.  Together, these two books testify of Jesus Christ and the principles, or laws that if we chose to live by will bring us the peace and the happiness God intends for each of us to have.   (You can read more about the Book of Mormon and its relationship to the Bible and Jesus Christ here.)  

This is a lot to take in.  Think on some of those things.  Pray about them.  Read the book.  Then ask God if these things are true.  These things have changed my life and these principles guide my family and bring us closer to each other and Jesus Christ.  I know they will do the same for you.  I wish you many blessings as you read these things and try them out for yourself!!  If you have any questions, I would love to talk to you and I will make sure you get a free copy of the Book of Mormon, if you want one.  You can email me at carin[dot]buildingeternity[at]gmail[dot]com.


You have a beautiful family!

If you would like to know more, look for these people:

Look for the name tag.  They can answer your questions too :-)!