Please add the following closing statement to my comments.
Understanding the three different Law Systems as they function in each family is key to creating a firm and safe foundation for the family in society.
Lynette Collier JonesMay 8, 2025
When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first transitioned from holding two Sunday meetings for the entire family and weekday Primary to two Sunday meetings for the whole family and weekday Primary specifically for young children, I had deep concerns. This new structure left little time to invest in educating and training the younger children of Primary age.
As I reflected on the impact of this new approach, which centers our focus on Jesus Christ, I began to see how it could positively shift the culture of the Latter-day Saints in a valuable direction.
In Utah, a unique culture exists that isn’t found anywhere else. The high concentration of Latter-day Saints means many individuals lack significant opportunities to serve. For over a century, much anxiety and stress were masked by complete engagement in service, leading to considerable peer-driven pressure to participate in activities that influenced every aspect of life.
Much of this peer-driven culture developed from the cooperative efforts necessary for survival in a harsh wilderness that was once a lakebed, lacking the normal vegetation and atmospheric development seen in most other parts of the world throughout history.
Now that the Latter-day Saints have become an international organization, the cultural differences in social norms, family structures, and career expectations have become increasingly cosmopolitan.
In recent years, I have come to appreciate the shift from multiple weekly meetings to a single main meeting on the Sabbath with a concentrated focus on the Savior. This change has enabled many to develop their talents both within their families and in their communities.
We are beginning to find a central point, a focus that can unite the diverse nature of a cosmopolitan Zion. To be of one heart and mind, we must move away from our cultural expectations surrounding family, career, and social structure. To become Zion, we must center our focus on being united in Jesus Christ.
Geography shapes our cultures and governments just as much as our choices do. We need to recognize that the North American drive to accomplish tasks and achieve final goals must be balanced with two other approaches found in different nations.
A different approach is exemplified by Europe, where the focus is on ensuring that whatever is done enhances the value of the individual and the interests of the nation. Here, the presentation of worth takes precedence over simply completing tasks.
Asian nations represent the third approach to life. Their focus is on executing tasks effectively and in the best possible manner, given the available resources and individuals involved. For them, the best way is valued above presentation or completion.
By combining these three approaches to law and creation into one heart and mind centered on Jesus Christ, we can create the unity of Zion. This unity allows the unique creativity and individuality of each person, family, and society to blossom and thrive
Edna FarrerMay 6, 2025
Thank you Brother Eyre for a wonderful article. Could this have to do with the fact that since the restoration of the church (and maybe too much?) we have been trying to convince the evangelicals that we ARE Christians? Is it working? Is it doing any good? I love my Savior Jesus Christ, I love learning about Him. The better I know Him the more I want to be like Him. I am a senior missionary in San Diego CA, and my best moments are when I can teach people His gospel. But sadly, I have seen a huge decrease in the size of families. Very few children. Primaries in church are small. Couples now choose to have pets. Not children. So I too, question, what has happened? My greatest joy in life has been having and raising my children. Nothing can compare to it. It's the closest thing to heaven. Perhaps this too is a sign of the last days where families are concerned. Thank you for your wonderful articles! God bless you!
Harold RustMay 5, 2025
Thank you for great insight and good questions. For me, the frequent comment of "Jesus Saves" or "Love Jesus" by Evangelical Christians has often felt trite when it is repeated over and over. Thus, it can also seem that way it His sacred name is repeated too often in a single phrase or paragraph. Likewise, the "Primary answer" of Jesus to almost any Gospel question seems to make the use of the name feel almost trite at times.
Thus, I believe a deep and meaningful focus on our relationship with Christ is best achieved when we address each of multiple Gospel principles with the truths behind that principle while relating the relationship of our Savior to the principle. Examples and Stories about empowering positive family interactions are made even more complete when we include the role that honoring and obeying Christ has within the purpose of family relationships. That is how family and Jesus can enrich our appreciation and love for each.
Chris EpsonMay 4, 2025
Good article, but...
We cannot ever talk about, rejoice in, worship, focus on, love, or share our experiences with Jesus too much!
There is no doubt the tone and focus of general conference has shifted the past few years...to Jesus Christ and His love for us...and all I can say is "Hallelujah!"
Susan RoylanceMay 2, 2025
Teaching the importance of motherhood is definitely missing, and it shows in delayed marriages and small families. The goals for young women seem to have changed. Education is important, but not to sacrifice the wondrous opportunity to be a mother, and nurture future generations.
Robert StarlingMay 2, 2025
Wow! Richard, this article is AMAZING! Thank you - for your wonderful insights into the Big Picture. "The GOAL is to become like our Heavenly Parents, and the MEANS is through Christ and His Church." That sort of sums it all up. Boom. (mic drop) Another recent emphasis I've seen in General Conference is on temple work, which is the part of the Church that is the means of sealing families together for eternity. Since we are all children of our Heavenly Parents, the only way They can be sealed to us as THEIR eternal family is for us to be sealed to each other, generation by generation. That is Their goal, as expressed in the verse, "This is MY work and MY glory, to bring to pass the immortality (through Christ's atonement) and Eternal Life (as a sealed-together family) of man." That is WAY more to think about -and to live for- than the sectarian view of "heaven" as sitting on a cloud playing a harp! Boy, have we got a message for the world!
Cynthia CMay 2, 2025
Thank you for bringing up these very important points! In a new role as a student mentor (middle school and high school)I see a vast difference in parenting styles and family cohesion from when I was young. Our stability comes from strong families. I'm currently getting certified as a Mental Health First Aid responder. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 20% of 13-18 year olds have a mental health condition. 50% of these do not finish high school. 50% of adults with mental illness began experiencing symptoms before the age of 14. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that nearly 50% of American adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Globally, roughly 1 in 5 teenagers have experienced elevated anxiety symptoms. My students indicate that their parents let them do whatever they want as teenagers. The family appears to be in global crisis. Granted there are many factors involved. Parents working multiple jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over one's head. Social media attacks and bullying. Video games where kids spend hours killing off characters/enemies/the other teams. Yes, let's focus on Christ AND let's bring back a strong focus on the most critical social structure we have -- the Family. (activities adult mentors do with students besides listening and checking up on how they are doing is playing games with them, doing crafts with them, taking outings with them, attending their sports games -- sound familiar -- those are things that have traditionally drawn families together and strengthened those bonds. We can attempt to fix mental health or we can have a foundation of mental health -- in strong families!)
Comments | Return to Story
Lynette C JonesMay 8, 2025
Please add the following closing statement to my comments. Understanding the three different Law Systems as they function in each family is key to creating a firm and safe foundation for the family in society.
Lynette Collier JonesMay 8, 2025
When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first transitioned from holding two Sunday meetings for the entire family and weekday Primary to two Sunday meetings for the whole family and weekday Primary specifically for young children, I had deep concerns. This new structure left little time to invest in educating and training the younger children of Primary age. As I reflected on the impact of this new approach, which centers our focus on Jesus Christ, I began to see how it could positively shift the culture of the Latter-day Saints in a valuable direction. In Utah, a unique culture exists that isn’t found anywhere else. The high concentration of Latter-day Saints means many individuals lack significant opportunities to serve. For over a century, much anxiety and stress were masked by complete engagement in service, leading to considerable peer-driven pressure to participate in activities that influenced every aspect of life. Much of this peer-driven culture developed from the cooperative efforts necessary for survival in a harsh wilderness that was once a lakebed, lacking the normal vegetation and atmospheric development seen in most other parts of the world throughout history. Now that the Latter-day Saints have become an international organization, the cultural differences in social norms, family structures, and career expectations have become increasingly cosmopolitan. In recent years, I have come to appreciate the shift from multiple weekly meetings to a single main meeting on the Sabbath with a concentrated focus on the Savior. This change has enabled many to develop their talents both within their families and in their communities. We are beginning to find a central point, a focus that can unite the diverse nature of a cosmopolitan Zion. To be of one heart and mind, we must move away from our cultural expectations surrounding family, career, and social structure. To become Zion, we must center our focus on being united in Jesus Christ. Geography shapes our cultures and governments just as much as our choices do. We need to recognize that the North American drive to accomplish tasks and achieve final goals must be balanced with two other approaches found in different nations. A different approach is exemplified by Europe, where the focus is on ensuring that whatever is done enhances the value of the individual and the interests of the nation. Here, the presentation of worth takes precedence over simply completing tasks. Asian nations represent the third approach to life. Their focus is on executing tasks effectively and in the best possible manner, given the available resources and individuals involved. For them, the best way is valued above presentation or completion. By combining these three approaches to law and creation into one heart and mind centered on Jesus Christ, we can create the unity of Zion. This unity allows the unique creativity and individuality of each person, family, and society to blossom and thrive
Edna FarrerMay 6, 2025
Thank you Brother Eyre for a wonderful article. Could this have to do with the fact that since the restoration of the church (and maybe too much?) we have been trying to convince the evangelicals that we ARE Christians? Is it working? Is it doing any good? I love my Savior Jesus Christ, I love learning about Him. The better I know Him the more I want to be like Him. I am a senior missionary in San Diego CA, and my best moments are when I can teach people His gospel. But sadly, I have seen a huge decrease in the size of families. Very few children. Primaries in church are small. Couples now choose to have pets. Not children. So I too, question, what has happened? My greatest joy in life has been having and raising my children. Nothing can compare to it. It's the closest thing to heaven. Perhaps this too is a sign of the last days where families are concerned. Thank you for your wonderful articles! God bless you!
Harold RustMay 5, 2025
Thank you for great insight and good questions. For me, the frequent comment of "Jesus Saves" or "Love Jesus" by Evangelical Christians has often felt trite when it is repeated over and over. Thus, it can also seem that way it His sacred name is repeated too often in a single phrase or paragraph. Likewise, the "Primary answer" of Jesus to almost any Gospel question seems to make the use of the name feel almost trite at times. Thus, I believe a deep and meaningful focus on our relationship with Christ is best achieved when we address each of multiple Gospel principles with the truths behind that principle while relating the relationship of our Savior to the principle. Examples and Stories about empowering positive family interactions are made even more complete when we include the role that honoring and obeying Christ has within the purpose of family relationships. That is how family and Jesus can enrich our appreciation and love for each.
Chris EpsonMay 4, 2025
Good article, but... We cannot ever talk about, rejoice in, worship, focus on, love, or share our experiences with Jesus too much! There is no doubt the tone and focus of general conference has shifted the past few years...to Jesus Christ and His love for us...and all I can say is "Hallelujah!"
Susan RoylanceMay 2, 2025
Teaching the importance of motherhood is definitely missing, and it shows in delayed marriages and small families. The goals for young women seem to have changed. Education is important, but not to sacrifice the wondrous opportunity to be a mother, and nurture future generations.
Robert StarlingMay 2, 2025
Wow! Richard, this article is AMAZING! Thank you - for your wonderful insights into the Big Picture. "The GOAL is to become like our Heavenly Parents, and the MEANS is through Christ and His Church." That sort of sums it all up. Boom. (mic drop) Another recent emphasis I've seen in General Conference is on temple work, which is the part of the Church that is the means of sealing families together for eternity. Since we are all children of our Heavenly Parents, the only way They can be sealed to us as THEIR eternal family is for us to be sealed to each other, generation by generation. That is Their goal, as expressed in the verse, "This is MY work and MY glory, to bring to pass the immortality (through Christ's atonement) and Eternal Life (as a sealed-together family) of man." That is WAY more to think about -and to live for- than the sectarian view of "heaven" as sitting on a cloud playing a harp! Boy, have we got a message for the world!
Cynthia CMay 2, 2025
Thank you for bringing up these very important points! In a new role as a student mentor (middle school and high school)I see a vast difference in parenting styles and family cohesion from when I was young. Our stability comes from strong families. I'm currently getting certified as a Mental Health First Aid responder. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 20% of 13-18 year olds have a mental health condition. 50% of these do not finish high school. 50% of adults with mental illness began experiencing symptoms before the age of 14. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that nearly 50% of American adolescents have had a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Globally, roughly 1 in 5 teenagers have experienced elevated anxiety symptoms. My students indicate that their parents let them do whatever they want as teenagers. The family appears to be in global crisis. Granted there are many factors involved. Parents working multiple jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over one's head. Social media attacks and bullying. Video games where kids spend hours killing off characters/enemies/the other teams. Yes, let's focus on Christ AND let's bring back a strong focus on the most critical social structure we have -- the Family. (activities adult mentors do with students besides listening and checking up on how they are doing is playing games with them, doing crafts with them, taking outings with them, attending their sports games -- sound familiar -- those are things that have traditionally drawn families together and strengthened those bonds. We can attempt to fix mental health or we can have a foundation of mental health -- in strong families!)
ADD A COMMENT