Its been a crazy few weeks and haven't had time to update my blog lately. That will be changing. For a class that I am taking we are keeping up on a blog which is great because it is still keeping in focus on what I want to express to you.
This week in class we were able to view "The New Economic Reality: Demographic Winter" It is two separate parts The first part you can click on the title and to view the second part you can click here. Now even though it may seem long I plan to summarize a little about the video.
In the video it talks about three key things population, birth rate, and fertility rate. They reference a big event we call in history as the baby boom. It also talks about how it wasn't long ago that we thought we wouldn't be able to feed our families and that the world was growing too big. Sadly though we were so concerned about the population increase we forgot one thing and that was the replacement rate through the fertility rate. For the replacement to remain steady we need a 2.13 rate and we are below those rates is what the video talks about. It is very interesting and I highly recommend that you watch them.
Now you may ask what happened Nate? Why are you focusing on demographics? The reason I started with that is because it helps us understand just a little better the purpose and need for families. Families are essential to God's plan. President Kimball has some word of counsel to offer to those of us who may ask but look at the world it is corrupt? or how can we afford more than 1 or 2 children. He says "You did not come on earth just to "eat, drink and be merry." You came knowing full well your responsibilities. You came to get for yourself a mortal body that could become perfected, immortalized, and you understood that you were to act in partnership with God in providing bodies for other spirits equally anxious to come to the earth for righteous purposes. And so you will not postpone parenthood. There will be rationalists who will name to you numerous reasons for postponement. Of course, it will be harder to get your college degrees or your financial start with a family, but strength like yours will be undaunted in the face of difficult obstacles.
"Have your family as the Lord intended. Of course it is expensive, but you will find a way, and besides, it is often those children who grow up with responsibility and hardships who carry on the world’s work. And, John and Mary, do not limit your family as the world does. I am wondering now where I might have been had my parents decided arbitrarily that one or two children would be enough, or that three or four would be all they could support, or that even five would be the limit; for I was the sixth of eleven children. Don’t think you will love the later ones less or have few material things for them. Perhaps like Jacob, you might love the eleventh one most. Young people, have your family, love them, sacrifice for them, teach them righteousness, and you will be blessed and happy all the days of your eternal lives."
I share this quote because I agree with President Kimball on this. He helps us see that WE need to sacrifice for them. He also tells us that we made a partnership with God to come to earth and find an eternal companion and then provide bodies for the Spirit's waiting. If we who confess to be members of the church have fears of child bearing and how many children to have that is fine. It is understandable. What is not understandable is to not go to the Lord with your spouse and ask in prayer Lord help us to do thy will. We promised him we would multiply and replenish the earth. Maybe you only should have two children if that is what the Lord wants you to have. Don't just have two children because that is what YOU think can financially be afforded. If the Lord wants you to have six children well then have six children. I know he doesn't just want us to do something and then not provide a way for us to accomplish what he wants us to do. We need to have faith like Nephi and say as he does in 1 Nephi 3:7 I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.
It is my hope that you will watch the video and even if you don't feel inclined as say a religious person then watch the videos and understand what is happening based on your decision to not multiply and replenish the earth.
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