Preserving Families in the Midst of the Gathering Evil

In today’s world we are bombarded with television, movies, and magazines advertising the changing of traditional values and ways of living by creating the illusion of happiness.

Spencer W. Kimball, in the November 1980 Ensign, page 4, said: 

“Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are dissolving and disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.”

Cohabitation, and pornography are only two of many outcomes of the dissolving social restraints we see in the world today.

Although cohabitation may seem equivalent to marriage for some people, studies have shown that it can actually be detrimental to the relationship. It’s obviously not the same for all people, but for many, cohabitation tends to lack commitment you see in a marriage. When you’re not fully committed to the relationship then it can be easy to look elsewhere.

Pornography has oftentimes been referred to as “the new drug”. It is extremely addictive and very destructive within families.

I knew a family in which the father had a serious problem with pornography. It cost him his job and destroyed the trust of his wife. With time and assistance he was finally able to overcome his addiction and save his family, but it is an ongoing fight to withstand the lures of pornography.

In times of discouragement and weakness we must remain true to ourselves and the beliefs that once brought happiness and protection to the family.