Mormons place a strong emphasis on the importance of family and having children. For Mormons, raising a family is seen as a core part of God’s plan and something that brings great joy. There are several key Mormon beliefs about having children that shape this perspective.
Children are gifts from God
Mormons believe that children are gifts from God and that raising righteous families is one of the most important responsibilities in life. Mormons cite several scriptures that express this belief, such as:
- “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3)
- “Children are a gift of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3)
- “Men are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25)
For Mormons, children are not viewed just as a personal preference or lifestyle choice. Having children and raising them well is seen as a sacred stewardship and blessing from God.
Mormons should welcome and care for children
Because children are gifts from God, Mormons believe they have a responsibility to welcome children into their families and care for them. Mormon scriptures teach that husbands and wives have a solemn responsibility to bring children into the world and rear them in truth and righteousness.
Some key scriptures about this include:
- “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3)
- “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25)
- “Bring up your children in light and truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:40)
Mormons do not believe in restricting family size or preventing children for personal reasons. They believe in welcoming the children God chooses to send them.
Mormons value large families
While they do not mandate family size, Mormons tend to have large families with more children than average. Some reasons for this include:
- Emphasis on children being blessings
- Belief in nurturing all the spirits God sends to earth
- Practical benefits of more children assisting with work and providing care for aging parents
- Financial blessings of provident living help offset costs
Having more children is encouraged but not absolutely required. Ultimately, Mormons believe family size is a private matter between couples and God.
Teachings on birth control
The use of birth control is a complex issue amongst Mormons. There are a range of perspectives on when it may or may not be appropriate to use birth control:
- Most Mormons approve of birth control for spacing children, not limiting family size.
- Many disapprove of measures that permanently prevent conception (sterilization).
- Using birth control to delay initial childbearing to pursue other goals first is generally discouraged.
- Decisions about birth control are considered private between couples and God.
Overall, permanent or long-term birth control methods tend to be discouraged in favor of natural family planning methods that allow for welcoming children at the times God intends.
Beliefs on family roles and responsibilities
In Mormonism, men and women are believed to have distinct but equally important roles in raising children:
- Fathers – Seen as providers and spiritual leaders. Responsible to lovingly lead family in righteousness.
- Mothers – Primary nurturers and caregivers. Encouraged to focus efforts on home and children.
Mormons believe God designed these roles to provide an ideal environment for raising children. Both motherhood and fatherhood are seen as sacred stewardships.
Emphasis on teaching and caring for children
Mormon parents take seriously the responsibility to teach and care for their children. Some key aspects include:
- Family scripture study and prayer
- Weekly Family Home Evening for spiritual lessons
- Teaching children to pray and read scriptures independently
- Encouraging education and moral righteousness
- Providing loving guidance and discipline
Mormon teachings and programs provide a framework to help parents raise children who are spiritually grounded, morally upright, and well-prepared for life.
Beliefs on infant baptism
Mormons do not practice infant baptism. They believe baptism is a choice to follow Jesus Christ that requires sufficient mental maturity to make that commitment. Children are typically baptized around age 8 after preparing to understand the commitment they are making.
Key beliefs about infant baptism include:
- Children are innocent before God and do not need baptism for salvation.
- Baptism requires understanding the commitment being made.
- Children cannot sin or be accountable before age 8.
- Waiting until age 8 allows children to freely choose baptism.
For Mormons, baptism is not about original sin but about making a mature choice to follow Christ. This is why they wait until at least age 8 for baptism.
Encouragement to marry and have children
Mormons strongly encourage marriage and having children. Key beliefs that drive this include:
- Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God.
- Raising righteous children is a core purpose of marriage.
- Early marriage and childbearing allows for more children.
- Children raised in married households receive ideal nurturing.
While not absolutely required, Mormons believe married couples should prayerfully consider as many children as their circumstances allow for.
Beliefs on infertility and adoption
When couples struggle with infertility, Mormons believe they should seek medical assistance. If conception is not possible, adoption is encouraged as a way to raise children. Key beliefs include:
- Infertility does not diminish the importance of nurturing children.
- Seeking appropriate medical treatment for infertility is approved.
- Adoption is encouraged for couples unable to conceive.
- Adopted children are seen as equally part of the family.
While biologically raising children is ideal, Mormons believe couples who cannot conceive should still seek to raise and love children through ethical adoption. Children joined to families through adoption are seen as full and equal members in the family.
Strict law of chastity and sexual purity
Mormons have very strict beliefs about sexual purity outside of marriage. This includes complete abstinence from sexual relations before marriage and complete fidelity within marriage. Key aspects of this belief include:
- No sexual relations of any kind before marriage.
- No adultery or romantic relationships outside marriage.
- Homosexual relations strictly forbidden.
- Strong emphasis on modesty in dress, speech, and public behavior.
Mormons believe obeying these standards of chastity and virtue provides the ideal environment for rearing children in stable, loving family units. Violations of these standards are grounds for disciplinary action by the Church.
Generous social support for families and children
The Mormon church provides a robust social support system to assist families with children. This includes:
- Financial assistance for food, housing, and other needs through the church’s welfare program.
- Free employment counseling services.
- Access to church cannery and storehouse for low cost food if needed.
- Free addiction recovery programs.
- Counseling services through LDS family services.
- A network of fellow church members who provide community and support.
This social support aims to help Mormon families be self-reliant and provide a nurturing environment for children.
Beliefs on raising children in righteousness
Mormons believe parents have a sacred duty to raise children in righteousness and teach them moral values. Key aspects of this include:
- Teaching children faith in Jesus Christ.
- Prayer, scripture study, and church attendance.
- Principles of honesty, integrity, hard work, and service.
- Sexual purity before marriage and fidelity after.
- Avoidance of addictive substances like drugs, alcohol, tobacco.
- Encouraging education, talents, and independent living.
By raising children with this value system, Mormons believe families will be united eternally in God’s kingdom through righteous living.
Beliefs on eternal families
Central to Mormon theology is the belief that family relationships can endure eternally through God’s ordinances and covenants. Key beliefs include:
- Temple marriage sealings bind couples together eternally.
- Children born or sealed to parents belong to the family forever.
- Righteous families can progress eternally together in God’s kingdom.
- Eternal families motivate Mormons to have children and raise them well.
These beliefs about eternal families inspire Mormons to have children and provide an eternal perspective on the sacred role of parenthood.
Conclusion
In summary, Mormons place a strong theological emphasis on marriage and children as part of God’s plan. They believe in welcoming the children God grants them, teaching moral values, and understanding family relationships as eternal. These beliefs motivate Mormon efforts to have large and righteous families.