To kid or not to kid?

This week we have been discussing birth rates, death rates, and how much children influence the environment. I would like to talk about why I think that people need to take a step back and realize the importance that children bring to the world. In "The Family: A Proclamation to the World", it states "The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force." We have been commanded by our God to have children. It is part of His plan and we have the responsibility in doing our part of His plan. A family is considered a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.

Now, once you start a family, how many kids should you have? First and foremost, I think there are many factors in how many children you should have. Are you physically able to have a child? Are you financially stable to provide the necessities? Are you emotionally healthy to have a child? Are you educated about having a child and all that it entails? There are many others as well. To keep the economy stable, the replacement rate is 2.13. That means that each family needs to have at least 2.13 children. It doesn't seem like that many children, but there are many who are refraining from having any children at all these days. I believe that it is our duty to have kids; we are commanded to, and we need them for the stability of the economy.

A lot of people have come up with many "reasons" not to have kids. I think that the majority of these "reasons" are excuses. Being commanded by our Heavenly Father to have children trumps the reasons not to have children. When God commands His children to do something, He will always provide a way. I know and have heard many stories about couples who didn't think that they could have children, and later they are able to. The Lord will always provide a way, even if you don't think that it is possible.

I love what Elder Neil L. Andersen says, ""As we look into the eyes of a child, we see a fellow son or daughter of God who stood with us in the premortal life. It is a crowning privilege of a husband and wife who are able to bear children to provide mortal bodies for these spirit children of God. We believe in families, and we believe in children.
When a child is born to a husband and wife, they are fulfilling part of our Heavenly Father’s plan to bring children to earth. The Lord said, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” Before immortality, there must be mortality.
The family is ordained of God. Families are central to our Heavenly Father’s plan here on earth and through the eternities. After Adam and Eve were joined in marriage, the scripture reads, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” In our day prophets and apostles have declared, “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.” "

Have children and love them. Realize that they are children of God and that they have a purpose. If you are unable to have children of your own, look into adopting. I know that children are miracles and some of the greatest blessings we have.

Additional Blogs by Classmates

•             Alexis Priestly	http://lexandfamily.weebly.com/the-family.html
•             Ally McClain	http://www.allysfamilylife.blogspot.com/
•             Amber Kranc	http://amberkranc.blogspot.com/
•             Annabel Detering	http://thoughtsonhomeandfamily.blogspot.com/
•             Bailey Baird	http://baileybaird.blogspot.com/
•             Caitlin Schofield	http://caitlinschofield.blogspot.com/
•             Candice Merrill	http://candicermerrill.blogspot.com/
•             Cristel Carlini	http://familiesareforeverandever.blogspot.com/
•             Elisse Cook	http://lovethatlasts4ever.blogspot.com/
•             Emily Hayes	http://thenutty9.blogspot.com/
•             Erica Arguello	http://familiesconnectedtoheaven.blogspot.com/
•             Hailey Patera	http://haileypaterafamily.blogspot.com/
•             Haley Lucas	http://miissblondiiefamilies.blogspot.com/
•             Heather Christensen	http://thefamilyrelationship.blogspot.com/
•              Janaya L. Johnson	http://the-family-is-ordained-of-god.blogspot.com/
•             Jenney Premont	http://thatsalongtime.blogspot.com/
•             Julie Moss	http://lovemyeternalfamily.blogspot.com/
•             Kayleena Johnston	http://throughtheeternities.blogspot.com/
•             Kaylonnie White	http://tormentorjoy.blogspot.com/
•             Kelsey Lawrence	http://familysmatteralot.blogspot.com/
•             Kelsey Murphy	http://kelseyleighannmurphy.blogspot.com/
•             Kody Daffer	http://kodydaffer.blogspot.com/
•             Krystal Palmer	http://alove4eternity.blogspot.com/
•             Laura Hudgins	http://centeredonfamily.weebly.com/index.html
•             Madeline Vance	http://madelinemarievance.blogspot.com/
•             McKayla Nicole Hess	http://smilingfamilies.blogspot.com/
•             Michael Watts	http://someviewsonlife.blogspot.com/
•             Olivia Welch	http://thestrongestalliance.blogspot.com/
•             Patrick Williams	http://patrickallenwilliams.blogspot.com/
•             Rachel Blaylock	http://4everfamiles.blogspot.com/
•             Rachel Escobar	http://raebar92.blogspot.com/
•             Sammi Scott	http://sammischaweet.blogspot.com/
•             Tamara Handa	http://familiiesareforever.blogspot.com/
•             Tina Trepanier	http://tinatrepanier.blogspot.com/
•             Tod Flory	http://familyrelationsbytod.blogspot.com/

Welcome!

This is a blog that I am starting for my Family Relations class. I will be posting thoughts and feelings on here for people to read and think more about. Feel free to comment with your thoughts and ideas! 

A little bit about me... my name is Ailli Brown and I am a student at BYU-Idaho. I love being up here in Rexburg, and continuing my education through this university. I was born and raised in Orem, Utah and love it there as well! I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and love learning more about my Savior's plan for me. The family is central to the Plan of Salvation, and I am excited to learn more about how to have a happy and healthy family.