Equal Partnership

By divine designs, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. 

The doctrinal concept of equal partnership between men and women

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims a doctrine that is not widely held in the fallen world, even among certain Christian sects, and that is the doctrine of sincerely equal partnership between men and women, here and in the eternities. Indeed, from our extensive research and reading over the past 15 years, we may go so far as to say that this doctrine, mentioned explicitly in "The Family" A Proclamation to the world,"is revolutionary and distinguishes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a unique belief system.The term equality means "identity";that is, that two equal things must be identical to each other. Such usage represents a fallen and harmful understanding  of equality that is espoused by Lucifer, who passionately want all be " like himself"'  (2 Nephi 2:27).

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught that the Latter-day Saints theology does not teach the gender difference superimposes a hierarchy between men and women. Thinking about all that we believe to be true about the equality, both here and in Zion, of men and women in God's kingdom: equal in blessings,equal in power, intelligence, wisdom, dignity, respect, giving consent, agency, value, potential, authority, exalted fullness, virtue, spirituality, and spiritual gifts; equal in temporal things in Zion; and equal heirs with Christ. When we read this list, we unconsciously redefine "equality" and "identity" and thus struggle with these concept. And So it is time to work on a personal definition of equal that eschews both intimation of identity or hierarchy. One gender does not have greater eternal possibility than the other.

I grew up being taught that women's were not allowed to work and was only suppose to nurture their children and family. Men's in my culture or family were given more important then the women's but The proclamation to the World helps me understand that men and women are equal, they both have the equality to fulfill the roles and responsibility as parents. If husband work and provide for family then wife nurture their children and family. In marriage never create a gender or other factors differences, god created us all equally.   

Dating and Courtship

DATING AND COURTSHIP....

one of the most dramatic changes influencing marriage preparation in the United States during the last quarter century has been the emergence of a new period in life between adolescence and adulthood that has been labeled "emerging adulthood" (Arnett, 2000).

One of the best ways to understand how this new perieod is emerging adulthood is influencing preparation for later marriage and family life is to look at the defining characteristics of the current dating and courtship culture. 

In particular, these family professionals have noted an erosion od traditional courtship patterns and a dating culture that lacks socially defined norms, rituals, and relationship milestones to guide young people toward marriage. 

As a result of these changes, a number of pitfalls exist in our current dating and courtship culture, including:

• a growing pessimism about marriage and a focus on personal independence before and after marriage.
• a primary focus on personal financial independence for both men and women,
• widespread sexual permissiveness, and 
• high rates of couples living together before marriage.

When I returned home from my mission I dated a few but couldn't really understand what and how I could figure my dating process into courtship. I received a counsel from my district president on the three things  can focus on to bring my dating into a courtship. Firstly to date someone who is a return missionary or a worthy priesthood because he will take you to the house of the lord and be sealed with you for time and eternity and also he wouldn't put god as his second choice. Secondly, to date someone who is a family oriented because in future a life with him you could see how he treats you and your family and also will show the values of love and respect he has for relationship in his life. Thirdly, to date someone who becomes your best friend- one who not only care for you but be there for you as your world of fun, laughter, weakness and strength.

I am blessed that I received all this in one package. I would always be mindful of what I had received, he is truly a man God has prepared for me. 

during the time we were in our courtship relationship we had a chance to reflect on our patriarchal blessing and that just made a huge meaning to what we were getting into. We could really feel the Lords hand in our life together that we were moving on. My particular blessing says that 

"my future husband is being prepared, so do not get settled for something less than a temple marriage"

This part of my patriarchal blessing was a key for me to know that DJ was being helped by Heavenly Father (I was baptized in 2004 and DJ was baptized in 2005, I went on mission in 2009, DJ was preparing to go on a mission in 2007 but somehow his documentation work for his passport took a long time and so he was called in New Delhi mission In 2010, soon after I left for my mission. When I returned home, he was called to serve his last few months in my branch. I was called to serve as a Relief Society president and was always be involved in helping the new sisters coming and assign fellowship. And this helped me know better this missionary Elder Krishna Velu serving  in my branch). All these reasons made me understand that he is the one Heavenly Father was preparing for me.

In my husband's patriarchal blessing it says that 

"the girl is being prepared of his choice and he walk with her in the temple and be sealed for time and eternity" 

Today when I ask him what did he think of that girl- he says that all he knows is I was the best choice and he loves me so much.

He is a loving, kind and the best choice of my life. I couldn't ask Heavenly Father more to what he has given me. We both never dated going out and spend months or years to figure out our courtship. Our spiritual eyes were enough to make us recognize us.

Love the relationship and feels blessed to be able to have it for eternity....

   

Home can be Heaven on Earth

Home Can be Heaven on Earth

My name is Margaret G. Krishna Velu. I married to Durga R. Krishna Velu in the year 2013. We have a wonderful son name Jeffrey C. Krishna Velu. I belong to the church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day-saints. I am very sensitive when it comes to families and relationships because when I was six years old my parents were separated and I and my two elder brother were raised by my dad and step mom. I still remember the day, when I first came and visited the LDS church. I was amazed with the love and assurance the members had for each of their family members. I felt the need of it and it kept dragging me as I was so in tune to know more about their congregation. It has been 12 years that I joined the church and felt a lot of blessing along the way in my life. I was born and raised as catholic and so none in my family joined the LDS church. I served my mission in New Zealand Auckland, my testimony was increased and strengthen. The opportunity to share the gospel shaped and molded me in a way, where I can truly understand what God has in store for me and move according to that. Temple was another great and amazing experience to understand that home can be heaven on earth...

Every single day I served my mission it helped me ponder how I can shape my own family, serve my family and feel the joy and love in family. Marriage was another step to help me recognize the importance of building a home rather than a house. The joy of being a wife to a wonderful man in my life and being a mom to cute son has given a great meaning to my life. I am proud to  have my own family and learn the importance of adoring those relationship family has brought in my life. I truly agree a HOME CAN BE HEAVEN ON EARTH because I have a family of my own and they teach me grow in my weaknesses and strenghten me become the person I need to...

Love Margaret Krishna Velu

Families Procrastinating

In families a lot of people think it's the mother's duty to do everything and the father just needs to provide.  But as we read The Family - a Proclamation to the World we come to an understanding that fathers and mothers both have a solemn responsibility to raise their children with love and care and teach them the difference between good and bad.  We live in a world where relationships are taken for granted whereas the Proclamation to the World helps us understand that marriage is essential because it's an eternal plan for families.  We see around the world that people are abusing their spouses and children. They forget to treat each other as children of God with love and kindness.

Celebrating 20 Years of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"