True Doctrines of Marriage and Children

President Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, wrote a wonderful article a number of years ago entitled, "Little Children." In this article President Packer wrote about "innocence and our obligation to little children" and how marriage between a man and woman was part of our obligation to children. He said:

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.

"The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior....

"The laws of God on marriage, birth, and nurturing of little children may seem rigid, but they are very practical.

"His law decrees that the only legitimate union of man and woman is between husband and wife. For, should that expression of love result in conception, marriage provides shelter for the child who enters mortality innocent and helpless. Marriage ensures security and happiness for parents as well.

"Whatever the laws of man may come to tolerate, the misuse of the power of procreation, the destroying of innocent life through abortion, and the abuse of little children are transgressions of enormous proportion. For cradled therein rests the destiny of innocent, helpless children" ("Little Children," Ensign, Nov 1986, 16).

In his article President Packer also discusses the issue of abuse, as well as explaining the "four transgressions which plague mankind, all of which inflict suffering upon little children." These four transgressions are:

"First, that consummate physical union of man and woman belonging to the marriage covenant is now falsely proclaimed an acceptable indulgence for any two adults.

"Second, the misuse of that procreative power in degraded acts of perversion is widely promoted as the right of consenting adults. This selfish behavior carries neither the responsibility nor the rewards of parenthood.

"Third, the deliberate destruction of the innocent and helpless by abortion is now widely fostered—even publicly funded.

"Fourth, the bodies and minds and morals of increasing numbers of little children are brutalized and abused by those who should protect them.

"In it all, mankind has sown a bitter wind and reaps heartbreak, guilt, abandonment, divorce, addiction, disease, and death; and little children suffer.

"If these sins remain unchecked, civilization will be led unfailingly to destruction.

"Our behavior is not totally controlled by natural impulses. Behavior begins with belief as well.

"Beliefs are born of philosophies, of doctrines. Doctrines can be spiritual or secular, wholesome or destructive, true or false."

As we ponder the true doctrine of marriage and the importance of rearing children in a home of love and righteousness we can remember Christ's words, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matt. 18:6).