Provide, Preside, Protect

Paid For-----Provide (Manage the resources, the location, the supplies etc)     

Planned----- Preside (Take charge, make decisions-not the boss, but an “executive officer”)

·Paired off----- Protect (Sense of security and stability, companionship, keep each other in check morally)

These are the 3 P's of the Priesthood. When in a dating and marital relationship, its important to understand them. For instance, if a guy asks you on a date, did you discuss if he will be providing for the date? or if you will be going "dutch"? I personally dont see the point of asking someone on a date, then going dutch. THAT'S NOT A DATE! When he asked you on the date, did he plan it out, and tell you what was going to happen? this is always important, so that you know how you should dress, and what kind of shoes you should wear. you wouldn't want to be wearing a fancy dress and heels, if he had planned on a hike with a picnic. And lastly, when he asked you on the date, did he say, "date"? or "hang out"? if its a date, that's a lot easier to understand where he stands... but if you're "hanging out", then how do you know if he is interested in you or not? or if he is committed to you, or seeing several of other girls at the same time? 

R.A.M.

Notice how on the image, the sliders go up or down? The reason is, is because the more you know someone, the more you'll trust them. Which means, the more you'll rely, and then be able to commit to them, and touch them. If you rely on someone, MORE then you KNOW them, then your relationship becomes unbalanced.

KEEP CALM AND DATE

Once you get married, the fun shouldn't be over. Married couples can keep going on dates, WITH EACH OTHER. In fact, I recommend going on weekly dates. After a long work week, its nice to get out of the house, get your mind off the "to do list", and just enjoy each others company. Go out to dinner, or to a sporting event. In the movie, "date night" Steve Carell and Tina Fey are a married couple who go out to dinner to the same restaurant  every Friday night and order the same food. they are becoming bored with the routine, but are afraid to "spice things up a bit". You don't have to spend a ton of money on a date. the best dates are always free... or cheap, that is. go for a drive through the country side, and site see. picnics are always a great idea on those warm summer nights. you can also go for a walk through the park or go dancing. the important thing is, is that you are spending QUALITY time together, and that both are having fun. If one didn't have fun, don't do that activity again. Its also important to not get into a "routine" of date options. mix it up, try something new, and go somewhere new.

You want HOW many kids?!

While during the courtship phase of every relationship that is leading to marriage, its important to discuss how many children you want to have. Especially if one person wants 7, and the other may only want 1 child. I know for me, I personally want 4 or 6. NOT 5... The reason I want an even number is because I am 1/3 kids in my family... and I'm the youngest. Growing up, I was always ganged up on, left out, always in the way, or felt like the third wheeler in every situation. When we'd go to theme parks, someone always had to sit by them self .. ME. When w'd go on road trips, guess who got shafted with the back seat, all alone... ME. To this day, my older brother and sister still have a better relationship and I will forever feel like the black sheep of the family. They live a different life and are able to relate more to each other, so they spend more quality time together, and leave me out of it. I know that when I have kids, I don't want them to feel like they don't have anyone to climb trees with, or go jump in those giant rain puddles in the drive way. I want my children to be best friends with each other. I wish I had that relationship, today with my own siblings.

A Working Father

A father who works outside of the home, needs to remember and make an effort to spend time with his family. Not only his beautiful children, but his wife as well. Everyone needs to feel loved and BE loved, and love one another. A father who works 50 hours a week, and is rarely available on the weekends, because hes brought work home to complete before a deadline, or hes out playing golf with the guys, or even sitting on the couch playing call of duty when he should be spending QUALITY time with his family. The children need their father as a role model, and someone to teach them how to fish, play catch, help them with their homework, and to teach them how to wrestle. The wife needs her husband for not only her physically intimacy needs, but also her emotional needs as well. She needs her husband to acknowledge her existence, and to work as a team to raise their family.

Same Sex Attraction

In class we watched this video (ill post the link at the bottom), which was really inspiring because its a speech given by an 11 year old girl who asks, "Which parent do I not need? My mom or my dad?" It really touched my heart because we need both our mom AND our dad! Each parent teaches differently, and sets a wide range of examples for the child. Mothers are the nurturers who care the the child when they scrape their knee... who sew a button back onto their shirt, make their lunches for school, braid their hair into pig tails, or get those grass stains out of your football uniform. Fathers are the protectors. They provide for the home and family's needs and preside over the household. Anyways, watch the link, and listen to her speech.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=CRhGDmdG4dk

Tithing

Some people think, "oh I cant afford to pay my tithing", but in reality, you cant afford NOT to pay your tithing! I personally know from experience, that if you pay your tithing honestly and first thing before anything else, that you will be blessed down the road. Heavenly Father knows your hearts intentions. What you may not understand is "who's money is this?" its the Lord's money. your tithing, BELONGS to the Lord, and should be paid in full. If you aren't honest in paying it, then how can expect all of the blessings? By paying your tithing, you are showing the Lord that you have faith in Him and His plan for you. Teach your children and family members the importance of paying an honest tithe  by teaching them at an early age, they will grow to understand it.

Blended families and divorce

To start off, I come from a family of divorced parents. I am the youngest of 3 kids. When I was 13 years old, my parents after a long and bump marriage of 18 years, divorced. I was heartbroken. It was the worst time of my life. I was so mad at my parents, and became very distant. I also became inactive for a period of 3 years. My freshman year of high school, my dad started dating again and met a woman. They dated for a year, which seemed like a long enough time to get to know someone. They were married my sophmore year, and then everything changed. She had been married 3 previous times, and had 7 kids from those marriages. ages ranging from 24 to 12, I was right smack dab in the middle. The day they had came home from their honey moon, my step mom was a completely different woman. She wasn't at all who she had portrayed to be. She treated my siblings, and I like the outcast. Her children seemed like they could do nothing wrong. Even though it was very obvious as to what their decisions were, they were the perfect little angels. I on the other hand, was doing my best to keep my grades at least a B average, did more than my fair share around the house with cleaning and yard work... but was still neglected from my step mom. 3 years went by, and my dad did all he could to work it out. I guess there is a breaking point for everyone, and when someone belittles you to such an extent, then there may be nothing else for you to do then to just call it quits.

Yeah, those were some very rough times for me and my family, but we became closer because of those experiences. we are also stronger today, then we were before. I know that everything happens for a reason, and that He has a plan for all of us.

Sexual Intimacy

"Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage." -For the Strength of Youth

Intimacy should be reserved for marriage. The youth of the world need to know that such an expression should only be given to one person, being your spouse. Once you give yourself to someone, you can never get that gift back. And before marriage, its not special, or ordained of God. Sexual intimacy is sacred and should be treated with the utmost respect. it is creating a bond between husband and wife. Having that experience outside of marriage, is of Satan. Satan doesn't care about you or your life. He is so miserable, and wants you to be as miserable as he is. 

Family Stress

Everyone has their weak moments. some, more often then others. When we feel over loaded with all the work that we have to do, things we need to accomplish within a deadline, and adding on the lack of family communication, things tend to boil over sooner or later. I know for me, when I am super stressed, its difficult because I feel like I have to do ALL of the work all by myself, and that nobody can help me. I guess that just my own pride, and self dependency taking over. I have learned from experience that what helps the most is if you just take a step back, and breath. take a break, and treat yourself to a pedicure, or some ice cream and a movie. To me, it always seems that you take most of your frustrations out on your family, or room mates. Finals week is always hectic. We need to become more considerate of other peoples feelings, and understand that we dont know what they may be going through. Do something nice for them, out of the kindness of your heart. They will see that action and realize that maybe they need to slow down and be thankful for the little things in life.

Diminishing birthrate

"From the perspective of the plan of salvation, one of the most serious abuses of children is to deny them birth. This is a worldwide trend. The national birthrate in the United States is the lowest in 25 years,² and the birthrates in most European and Asian countries have been below replacement levels for many years. This is not just a religious issue. As rising generations diminish in numbers, cultures and even nations are hollowed out and eventually disappear.

One cause of the diminishing birthrate is the practice of abortion. Worldwide, there are estimated to be more than 40 million abortions per year.³ Many laws permit or even promote abortion, but to us this is a great evil. Other abuses of children that occur during pregnancy are the fetal impairments that result from the mother’s inadequate nutrition or drug use."   -ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS

Marriage is a covenant between you, your spouse and the Lord. pregnancy within that marriage is ordained of God. having that baby boy or girl will bless you throughout the eternities, so long as you follow the commandments. When an adult makes a choice to have relations with a member of the opposite sex, and with that, resulting in a pregnancy... that unborn child has no say in whether they live or die. what ever happened to agency? shouldn't the child be able to make that decision for themselves? for someone to decide to abort their baby, is very selfish, and taking the agency away from their child. I feel that abortion is murder. the baby is STILL a human being, and should be treated like one. for laws to promote abortion, disgusts me. if the roles were reversed, wouldn't you want to live? Some mothers are even smoking, drinking, and using illegal drugs while pregnant. Babies are being born with birth defects and having to live with those defects for the rest of their lives. Don't the mothers care, about the well-being of the child? 

MARRIAGE

"In India a concerned Hindu mother said, “All I want is to be a bigger influence on my children than the media and the peer group.” And a Buddhist mother in Malaysia said, “I’d like my boys to be able to operate in the world, but I don’t want them to be of the world.” Parents from all different cultures and faiths are saying and feeling the same things we are as parents in the Church."
-M. RUSSELL BALLARD

Parents need to be setting a good example to their children and their families because THE FAMILY is essential to His eternal plan of happiness.
Some ways we can influence our loved ones are:

• • 
  “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.”
• • 
  “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”
• • 
  “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.”
• • 
  “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”
• • 
  “The disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”

Marriage between a man and a woman is crucial because thats the only way that families can be formed. Children need a mother and a father who are married as husband and wife. Heavenly Father made us the way we are as sons and daughters, for a reason. I believe that families in the community set the tone for the enviroment. If people are forming same sex relationships with one another, then that becomes a very selfish community. You have to take into consideration of the future generations, and how the political decisions of this country will affect others.