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Families Are at the Center of God’s Plan
As Latter-day Saints, we understand that families are not temporary social units. They are eternal structures ordained by God for our growth, joy, and salvation. In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we are taught that “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” That truth has never changed.
But the world we live in often tells a different story. It tells us to wait. To focus on ourselves. To delay marriage and children until we’ve climbed high enough, earned enough, or seen enough. And in doing so, it causes many to miss some of life’s greatest blessings.
“Behold, I Am a Disciple of Jesus Christ”
In 3 Nephi 5:13, it says,
“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”
Being a disciple of Christ means aligning our decisions with His will. And His will includes building righteous families. When we follow Him fully, we realize that building an eternal family is not something to be delayed—it is something to be embraced.
Biology Confirms What the Spirit Has Already Taught
Science confirms what the Lord already designed. Female fertility is highest in the twenties and declines steadily afterward. Risks of complications increase significantly after age 35. Male fertility also declines over time, along with energy and overall health. These are not limitations—they are signals. They are reminders that God has a pattern for life, and when we follow it, we are blessed physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Starting a family young is not just good for our bodies. It is good for our souls.
“Wherefore, Men Are Free According to the Flesh”
As taught in 2 Nephi 2:27,
“Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh… they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men.”
We are free to choose the course of our lives. But with that agency comes responsibility. Choosing to follow the Lord’s timing—especially when it comes to marriage and family—is choosing liberty and eternal life. It is choosing the path of joy, purpose, and generational strength.
What Happens When We Delay?
When we follow the world’s advice and postpone family, the cost is often hidden until it is too late. Many realize too late that they have fewer children than they hoped for. They experience parenthood with less energy and more strain. They find themselves watching their children raise families from a distance, too tired or too frail to help.
Some never meet their grandchildren. Others live long enough to feel the ache of missed moments and unshared memories.
The gospel teaches us to live with intention. To use our time wisely. And to put first the things that matter most.
“By Small and Simple Things Are Great Things Brought to Pass”
In Alma 37:6, we are reminded:
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”
Starting a family young may not feel glamorous. It may not look impressive to the world. But it is one of the most powerful choices a disciple can make. One family, grounded in truth and built early in life, can bless dozens—perhaps hundreds—of souls for generations.
Speaking From Experience
I share this from a place of deep reflection. I did not start as early as I could have, and I now feel the weight of what I missed. I love my family dearly. I treasure my children. But I can see how much more we could have shared if I had begun sooner. This is not regret for what I have. It is sorrow for what I never gave them—a few more years, a few more stories, a few more shared milestones.
And it is also a message of hope for others. Because if you are still deciding, still planning, still choosing—then you still have time to do it right.
Trust God More Than the World
The world wants us to believe that freedom means postponing responsibility. But the gospel teaches that true freedom is found in obedience. It is found in following God’s commandments and trusting His plan, even when it doesn’t match the modern timeline.
Start your family early if you can. Begin with faith. Build with love. Let the Lord lead you into something greater than comfort or career—something eternal.
Eternal Families Begin with Early Faith
When we prioritize family in our youth, we are not giving up dreams. We are aligning them with eternity. We are giving our children more time with us. We are giving ourselves more time with them. And we are securing a future where faith is passed on, traditions are preserved, and the love we begin continues to grow long after we are gone.
So trust Him. Begin sooner. Build boldly. Love deeply. And remember that the choice to start your family early, guided by the Spirit and grounded in the gospel, may be the single most important decision you ever make.
