What do all of God’s promises to Abraham have in common? They are all about his posterity. God promised Abraham land. For what purpose? For his innumerable descendants to have a home (Genesis 13:14-17; 15:18-21; 17:8). He promised Abraham priesthood. Why? So that his descendants could bless all the families of the earth (Genesis 12:2-3; 22:17-18; Abraham 2:9-11). The thread running through all of these covenant promises, and exponentially increasing their value, is the number of people they will benefit.
Abraham valued family relationships. He allowed his nephew Lot to choose where he would like to settle and later rescued him when he was captured by invading armies (Genesis 13:5-11; 14:12-16). He deferred to his wife Sarah on important decisions, even when he disagreed (Genesis 16:1-6, 21:9-14). His given name, Abram, meant “exalted father,” and God amplified that name by modifying it to Abraham, “father of a multitude.” God wanted Abraham to focus on his descendants, so His covenant with Abraham was intended to be inheritable (Genesis 17:7).
Lehi adopted this orientation toward future generations. After receiving the brass plates, which contained his genealogy, “he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed. … And he prophesied many things concerning his seed” (1 Nephi 5:17, 19). Shortly after, he sent his sons back to Jerusalem to invite Ishmael’s family to join them “that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise” (1 Nephi 7:1). Before his death, Lehi gathered his family and gave counsel to each of his sons and grandchildren. (See 2 Nephi 2-4.) Like Abraham, Lehi recognized the importance of his posterity.
In our day, President Dallin H. Oaks has emphasized the importance of marriage and parenting in God’s plan of happiness:
In the United States we are suffering from a deterioration in marriage and childbearing. For nearly a hundred years the proportion of households headed by married couples has declined, and so has the birthrate. The marriages and birthrates of our Church members are much more positive, but they have also declined significantly. It is vital that Latter-day Saints do not lose their understanding of the purpose of marriage and the value of children. That is the future for which we strive.
“The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ,” October 2025 general conference
Earlier this month, he spoke of those “who have jeopardized their spiritual growth by separating themselves from Church teachings—such as those who are expressing little desire to be married or to have children” (“Coming Closer to Jesus Christ,” Brigham Young University Devotional Address, 10 February 2026).
God wants all of us, like Abraham, to value children and parenthood. Regardless of our current family situation, we should recognize the importance of marriage and family in God’s plan for His children and trust that He will bless not only us but also our loved ones.
Today, I will put family first. I will recognize that family members can be the beneficiaries of my relationship with God and that the blessings they receive will increase my joy.
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