Now we move to 4 & 5

SO this week we are talking about paragraphs 4 and 5 of the proclamation and these are the questions to be answered:

1. What are some reasons you believe that the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth is reemphasized by the First Presidency and the Twelve?

2. I think the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth is so strongly emphasized by the First Presidency and the 12 because it is the God given gift we are bestowed as the price to pay for our bodies. I truly feel like it is the closest we can to to God and His incredible power of creation, by creating our children here on earth. And for me, that is something truly miraculous that God would give us that power and responsibility.

3. What are some factors in today's society that discourage a husband and a wife in fulfilling this commandment?

4. Satan is really good at his job, actually, he has almost perfected this aspect of his job, which is: deception. He deceives us in the world today by giving us a lot of reasons why we SHOULDN'T have kids these days, things like "we aren't financially stable enough to raise a kid right now" " having a kid is going to inhibit us from reaching out career goals" " the world is already over populated and I don't want to add to the carbon footprint, and create another mouth to feed" "children keep me from being able to do what I want, when I want, and this life is all about ME." The list could go on and on forever. but the point is, today is chalk full of excuses not to have kids- the strongest people are the ones who can find the reasons TO have kids.

5. What does the phrase "sacred powers of procreation" mean?

6. To me, this is a reminder that it is a God given gift to be able to bare children, and, just like any gift given divinely, it is given with promise of great rewards and great responsibilities. You should never take the idea of baring a child lightly, it is another human soul that is God's child that you are now in charge of taking care of. If you take the job lightly, then it means you are showing disrespect to our Heavenly parents by saying you don't care about the soul that was given to you.

7. Given what we have studied so far in the Proclamation, the scriptures, and the words of the prophets, what are some reasons that the sacred powers of procreation are only to be used between man and woman lawfully wedded as husband and wife?

8. Contrary to popular societal belief, Marriage is actually a strengthening choice we make to better ourselves and our lives. It helps us to be more empathetic, financially stable, and well-rounded. so of course, with those very few examples, of MANY, why wouldn't marriage be a pre-requisite to raising children. I think the part about man and woman is pretty simple as well, It is basic biology, without a man and a woman, children cannot exist.

9. If someone came to you and said, "What does the line, 'We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed.' mean?" How would you respond?

I would tell them that basically, what we believe is having children, is the most divine thing we can do here on earth. God is the one true creator, and He gave us the gift of Creating a body that one of His spirit children can inhabit to begin their journey back to Him. He is trusting us with that responsibility, and that is something significant. That is what I think it means.