Boaty's Post #4 : Social Classes and the Family

For my classes this week I was asked to ponder the role and impact of social classes and also the importance of the family.

First of let me just say, social classes do exist here in America! I think many try to deny or forget that there are people here that are enslaved to poverty in the "land of freedom." I think too many people say, 'If they would just believe in themselves and work hard they can rise above their situation.' To you I say yes, some people can rise above their circumstances. But most people cannot! They work hard all their lives and limitations in education and opportunities tie them to their situation.

On the other end there are many who have a clique or social group that they identify with and call family. They live thinking that this 'family' is the most important thing to them. Let me be the first to say "it is not and should not be their focus." Being able to identify with another outside your family should not persuade you to abandon them. Let me just clarify that this can happen. Teenagers do it all the time when they rebel against their parents to join their friends.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "nothing can take place of the home or family." I believe this with all my heart. God created the family to love and fulfill each other. It is our duty to never forsake the ideal family and those who love us most even when it is seen as outdated or unpopular.

Boaty's Post #3: Defending the Divine Sanctity of Traditional Marriage

This week in my class I was asked to make a list of why I feel we should keep marriage between a man and a woman. These are the points I felt to write:

1.     God created marriage and designed it to be between a man and a woman. Marriage is not man-made and should therefore not be allowed to be redefined by the government.

2.     The Plan of Salvation is centered on the family, without it there is no plan.

3.     Men are designed to be the main providers while women are designed to be the main nurturers. Without the other, certain God-given traits are lost in the home and posterity.

4.     Our spirits had genders before this life and our physical bodies reflect that. If we destroy the definition of gender, we destroy our divine destiny and purpose.

5.     The highest covenant made in the temple is celestial marriage. In this we need a man and a woman, without that we cannot return to the full glory of our Father in Heaven.

6.     Children will be given a clearer understanding of puberty and its purpose with their same gender parent. They will be less likely to be ashamed/depressed of their body if they are taught the how to endure puberty by the same gender parent. (Two men cannot explain to a little girl what a period is and what to expect from it.)

7.      Children can only be created through the union of a man and a woman. There is no physical or spiritual way the union of two men and two women can create a new child.

8.     Marriage is a union created to benefit and build society. It was not created solely for love.

9.     Men and women are given different talents and gifts that complement each other in a way no two men or two women together could match.

10. Children are best raised in the home of a loving mother and father because they receive perspective and guidance from parents of both genders. Different genders will have different experiences to share. 

The point I want to emphasize most is that children cannot be born between those of the same gender. Without the union of a man and a woman our culture, traditions, and ethics will die. We need to create and raise a new generation to carry on our marriage and family values. There will be less freedom, less variety, and less strength in our society if we do not have children.

I value my ability and blessing to one day become a mother. I love my God for blessing me to be a woman. I take great pride and gratitude in knowing that one day I will be a mother. I look forward with hope and love to the time when I can hold my child in my arms and teach him or her our families values. My greatest dream in embracing motherhood will be passing down the things I love the most to my dear children.

Boaty's post # 2: The Dangers of Divorce

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I believe in the family! (Although I am a firm believer of the Mormon religion, I want to make known that I am not intending to represent or speak for the entire church. These posts consist of my personal testimony and values.) I believe that family members should be loved and respected. I believe when this happens families and marriages will be strengthened.

In my opinion divorce is a word that is used way too casually and often in our society. Decades ago if you said the "d-word" it was shamed and reviled. Now days it is a common word and action used to break marital ties that will always have a negative effect on those who are involved. Even when it is for a "good cause." Do I believe there are some appropriate reasons for divorce? Yes, but they are the extremes. I think people today have made the meaning of divorce so accessible and casual that it is being used as the first choice rather than the last resort.

Elder Dallin Oaks in his talk entitled "Divorce" stated that the real solution to marital discord and distancing is repentance. I agree with this statement with all my soul. From what I have seen in the world many couples divorce because of lying, cheating (this includes pornography!), "falling out of love" because of a spouses lack of affection, and other difficulties. Are these things hard to forgive and forget? Yes, but in almost all cases they are fixable. Repentance is a real power given to us by a loving Heavenly Father and Savior. Use it! It could save your marriage and family.

Boaty's Post #1

Hello loved family and friends. Also, welcome to any visitors I may not know yet. My name is Ashley Boatman. Just so you know a little about myself, I am a young wife living near the college I attend with my husband, James. We were married one month ago to the day in the San Diego California Temple. I love being married and look forward to many more amazing years with my eternal companion.

I love cooking, eating, drawing, reading, and sleeping. My husband and I also enjoy going to the gym together, which means he works out and I spend the entire time trying to catch up to his pace. Another hobby of mine is singing, but you will rarely hear me singing anywhere beside my home and church. This is due to my kindness and care for your well being and ability to hear again.

Anyways, I have created this blog along with a class I am taking in college. In this course I will learn about current research concerning marriage, the family, and the world's status in these areas. I love what I am studying and hope you will too as I share my insights, promptings, and findings in what I learn.