First Post

My name is McKenna Cotton, I am from Louisville, Kentucky and I am 19 years old. I am a Sophomore at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Being a Psychology major with a minor in Marriage and Family studies, I have the chance to learn about the science and importance behind people, and how they are constructed. My love for Psychology was instant, however the decision of having to choose an emphasis was more of a struggle. I love criminal psychology, healthy psychology, and even thought about heading towards industrial organizational psychology. One of my biggest goals and desires in life however, is to make a difference in people's lives and their world. What has struck me most in this changing world, is how the unit and strong importance of the family is being destroyed. In my own experiences, and own opinion, I feel like Satan's number one target is the family unit.

The whole purpose of God's Plan of Happiness is to create and nurture a family, if able. In the Family Proclamation to the World it states;

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

Satan has altered God's laws and Plan of Happiness by tempting people to act on their desires or weaknesses or selfishness that not only diminish their worthiness, but destroy their chance to healthily be a part of a family built on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Addictions, gay marriages, and transgender's are some of the main examples that are prominent in our society today. All three have helped Satan change the view and sacredness of the gift of building and following Heavenly Father's commandment of having an eternal family. Satan is doing everything he can to stop the multiplying and replenishing of the earth, and decrease the number of people who can live eternally with God.

Society may look at the family as traditional or old-school. However, I cannot help but become saddened by that perspective, because why follow any other route than God's?

As this may seem like a long or lengthy and controversial subject, it is more of a needful and essential subject that should stand in risk of being argued against, because of how much individuals and families are being put in danger. I am a person who's family was torn apart because of a parent who loved his addiction more than his love for God or his family. I know the loss and hurt that is associated with having their world and unity that used to exist, be taken. That is why I am so passionate and determined to help those people and their families be strengthened and blessed. I want to base my teachings upon the teachings of Christ, because He is the truth and the only way that we can live with our Father in Heaven again.

I am so excited for this Family Relations class, to gain a new perspective and understanding of the family.