“Future happiness and even the future of nations is linked to children. Families with children need to be re-enthroned as the fundamental unit of society. We simply must value children more than we do! Without a new generation to replace the old, there is no wealth; without families, there is no future.”

I appreciate Cheryl sharing her personal experience and feelings on something that our leaders are talking about.

I also want to add that I know that God can help us make these personal decisions about childbearing and rearing. I know from my own experience that God is aware of our particular situations and if we ask, He will help us know what is right. Sometimes people have fewer children than they want, some have more than they expected to have! God can help with that important decision-making process.

It’s so helpful, though, to understand the purposes of life when making those decisions. It’s all too easy to become short-sighted, especially with the trends away from having children that we see the world over.

Knowing that there is life before birth affects how I treat the little spirits that arrive to my home. I value my children for who they are, spiritual children of our Heavenly Father who has entrusted me, their physical mother, with their care. I assume that I will have to give an accounting to the Lord of how I cared for His children. Like all mothers, I have my short moments, but I hope that I will be able to recall, and my children likewise, will remember many, many hours of service and love that happened in our home.

I don’t think the number of children I have is as important as the quality of nurturing I give. I want to follow the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth as I am able because it brings joy. But I want to replenish the earth with love as much as with people.

My friend has recently struggled with infertility. Her desires to feel the joy of motherhood led her to the foster care system. Watching her and her husband’s efforts as foster parents was a testament to multiplying and replenishing the earth with love. The child they nurtured became more calm and less distressed in their care. She blossomed while surrounded by the love she felt in their home and returned home to her birth mother in a better state of mind than when she left.

It is great to know that we all have agency to choose our family situations. I have 4 kids and know that is all we will have. It is hard work, but the best kind of work!