Recently Elder Nelson gave a talk at the World Congress of Families V entitled “The Family: The Hope for the Future of Nations“.

You can view his talk here, but I’d like to just highlight some quotes I found inspiring from the talk.  Feel free to share your thoughts on the talk as well.

Here are a few quotes from the talk I liked:

After 59 years of marriage, my dear wife, Dantzel, died of a sudden rhythm shift of the heart. Ironically, my professional life as a heart surgeon included intensive research in the very malady that claimed her life. Even so, I could not resuscitate her. I know about a widower’s silent loneliness

In General Conference we rarely see the human side of the Apostles unfortuneatly.  I found it refreshing that Elder Nelson got personal and shared some of his deepest heartaches.  My heart went out to him as he shared this story.

Throughout my life, I have answered to many titles, including doctor, captain, professor, and elder. But the titles I revere most are those of husband, father, and grandfather.

Having become a new father myself last year, and for all you mothers and fathers out there, I’m sure you totally understand and appreciate this quote.  It is important for us to always remember which roles are most important in our lives and that our children feel that we put them above our jobs and church callings.

Spiritually, we need children as much as they need us. They are our spiritual wealth.

Just think how beautiful and fun life is with children.  It’s no wonder Jesus told us to become as a child.

…future happiness and even the future of nations is linked to children. Families with children need to be re-enthroned as the fundamental unit of society. We simply must value children more than we do!

Any attempt to broaden the definition of marriage to encompass a contractual relationship between adults outside of the traditional family weakens the institution of marriage as God Himself defined it, and undermines the separate, divinely decreed responsibilities of man and woman for procreation, protection, and rearing of children.

These quotes drive home the importance of marriage as God defines it.  Not as we try to define it.  It also drives home implications and effects on children and how that will affect society in the long run.

Take some time to read the rest of his talk, along with the excerpt from The Family Proclamation.

What are your thoughts?

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