In almost all of my classes this week
we have been discussing threats to the family. Does this make me nervous? You
bet! Honestly, even though I'm not even remotely near the point where I'm close
to having a family, I still think about these threats and how they'll affect my
future family. It's scary. It's almost overwhelming how difficult their lives
have the potential to be. However, in my parenting class we were talking about
temperament, and this girl in my class said that even though her son is very strong
willed and knows his own mind, perhaps that's a blessing for him. Perhaps it
will help him to stand firm in his life when he's faced with opposition. I
thought that was a very interesting and unique point of view. I thought to
myself, children born in this next generation will need special help in order
to stand firm against the ever strengthening forces of evil. So maybe they'll
be given different personality traits and special gifts to help them stay
strong.
In discussing specific threats to the family, I had to read an
article for class.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/02/27/ethicists-argue-in-favor-of-after-birth-abortions-as-newborns-are-not-persons/
This is one of the articles we had to read for my child and family
advocacy class. This article talks about after birth abortion and how if
fetuses aren't considered people that newborns shouldn't be considered people
either. Oh let me tell you, this article made me furious! I couldn't BELIEVE
that there are people out there who could look at a living, breathing,
beautiful baby and say, this isn't a person. If a child isn't a person what
is?! By that same justification could you not then say that a teenager isn't a
person, an adult isn't a person? If what constitutes a person being a person is
subjective, you can justify killing anyone at any age. And THAT more than
anything else scares me. What is this world coming to if what is considered
"human" varies from person to person? Does nothing have meaning anymore
these days? Family is being re-defined, marriage is being re-defined, but why
are people being re-defined? I don't believe that God gave us the right to give
life to His precious spirit children, just for us to deny that privilege for
selfish and stupid reasons. If you were un-careful enough to get yourself into
being pregnant, I think you should be willing to put up with the consequences.
Honestly, I can't see what's so hard about the consequence of being pregnant.
Okay, that sounds really ignorant. What I mean is that there are worse and much
more harsh consequences to face, than that of bringing a new life into this
world. I believe that only in the case of incest, rape, or threat to the
mother's life should abortion even be a remote option. Even then only if the
mother decides that this is what she wants. I think that would be a very hard
decision to make, however, in the case of unplanned pregnancies, I don't think
abortion should be an option. Especially because there are so many good and
wonderful people out there who want more than anything to be parents. Why not
show your child that you loved them enough to let someone else love them? I
understand that it would be hard, however I feel that it would be in many many
ways, the most beneficial thing a person could do for their child if they are
not ready to raise a child.
I have a confession to make. In case you couldn't tell, I LOVE
children. I'd love to work with children in my future career, whatever that may
be. It is also one of my greatest desires in life, to be a mom. I want to have
children and love them and squeeze them and teach them to know and love
Heavenly Father. I realize that this is a huge responsibility, one that I am
not yet ready for. However, I feel that if I rely on Heavenly Father, the
teachings of the Family Proclamation, and the teachings of the prophets, that I
will be guided in the ways of how to raise my children in the ways that are
best for them. Another thing that stood out to me this week was reading the
talk, "Teaching the Doctrine of the Family." This was a powerful and
wonderful talk, if you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do. One thing that
stood out to me was this quote, "Many don’t see forming families as a faith-based
work. For them, it’s a selection process much like shopping." I was so
blown away by that quote. How many mutual activities have I spent thinking up
qualities I want in my future husband, how many times have I thought oh it
would be nice to have this in my future. But, how often have I paused to think
of what the REAL significance of all of that is? The point isn't what you want
in a husband, although knowing that is important. The point is after you have
your husband and your family, what are you doing to build up Zion? What are you
doing to strengthen your family? What are you doing to teach your children?
What ARE you teaching your children? One thing the LDS Church talks a lot about
is progression, in this life and the next. So what am I doing in order to
progress? Right now, I'm learning. I'm learning all I can so that I can get a
degree, a good job if I need one, and so that I can teach my children things
that are really important. Things that could be of eternal consequence. I
believe that Heavenly Father has placed me here, at this school, in this time
for a specific purpose. I just hope I learn whatever I'm supposed to so I can
help him accomplish His goals for His kingdom, and for me.
