Latter-day Saint Life

Sister Stephens's Perfect Advice for Those in Difficult Family Situations: "No One Has an Ideal Family"

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How do we manage when we are living in a family situation that does not seem to be up to par with the Mormon ideal? How do we approach serving others when they are experiencing intense struggles with divorce or wayward children?

In this video from the Mormon Channel, "Gospel Solutions for Families: When Life is Less Than Ideal," Carole M. Stephens, first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, and Liz Hale, Ph.D. licensed clinical psychologist, answer questions similar to these to give us support in our own struggles as well as provide the resources to serve others in their less-than-ideal situations.

So how do you teach the ideal in less than ideal circumstances?

It begins “from a foundation of love,” according to Sister Stephens, “always being open to questions and validating the concerns of others.”

We know we need to strive for and teach to the ideal, but most often we do not have the ideal. In fact, in this video, Sister Stephens says there has never been an ideal.

“I would be really interested if anyone could find a perfect family in the scriptures,” she said.

Dr. Hale spoke on how vital it is when serving others that we have knowledge of our true identity.

“It’s really important to know who we are as children of God . . . the more we are in tune with that relationship with our Heavenly Father  . . . the more unconditional our love can be for those around us.”

To listen to the entire discussion, watch the video below:

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Video Companion
Gospel Solutions for Families: When Life is Less Than Ideal

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