Lesson 6

They cannot be lost: temple covenants save families

The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1995, para. 3)

Temple married parents cradle their newborn in their arms with dreams of a happy life filled with milestones such as baptism, mission, temple marriage, and happily ever after. Sometimes that happens, and sometimes it does not. The divine gift of agency is given to children as well as their parents. Some use that agency to make choices that take them away from their families and/or the church and/or their covenants.

It is heart-wrenching to watch a child turn their back on everything the parent holds dear in the gospel. The pain is real. The prayers and tears are constant. You grieve what ‘could have been’ while hoping for it to happen in the future. During those times, it is important to look to gospel truths. Do you believe in temple work or not? Do you have faith that the atonement is real or not? 

The promises of the temple are real, and eternal. “Having the reassurance of prophets and apostles that the sealing power of the holy priesthood is sufficient to allow righteous parents to reclaim their wayward children” (Pehrson, Cook, & Madsen, pg. 175). We are commanded to love, always. Love the child who strays as much as they will allow. Let them understand they are still yours, and your love is truly unconditional. Pray and attend the temple for the wisdom to understand the covenants and promises that are there. Then continue to love and care for your child and pray that you can be that light for them when they are ready to return, whether it is in a year, or 10, or 40, or even in the next life.

Jesus spoke of the Prodigal Son, and that even though he spent his fortune in “riotous living”, his father was waiting and watching for him to return. And when the boy “came to himself”, father was overjoyed and embraced him without question. Jesus also spoke of the lost sheep, and how the return of the one was celebrated over the 99 who didn’t. Everyone is a lost sheep at some point in time. There is no person on earth who really is one of the 99, we all have to look to our Shepherd and be willing to be rescued.

Discussion Questions:

Do I have true faith in the promises of the temple and the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

How can I best show my love to all my family members, regardless of their church standing?

Reflect on times when you have been the “lost sheep”. How did you feel when you were rescued? How can you rescue others?

Works cited:

A. J. Hawkins, D. C. Dollahite & T. W. Draper (Eds.). (2010) Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (2^nd ed.). Brigham Young University.

Pehrson, K. L., Cook, R., & Madsen, N. L. (2010) They cannot be lost: temple covenants save families. In A. J. Hawkins, D. C. Dollahite & T. W. Draper (Eds.). (2010) Successful marriages and families: Proclamation principles and research perspectives (2^nd ed. Pp 27-37). Brigham Young University.