Why Family Relationships Are Central to Latter-day Saint Religious Practice

In Latter-day Saint belief, family relationships are foundational, eternal, and central to spiritual life, extending beyond mortality through sacred covenants.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 3, 2026

Branched from Eternal Increase in Latter-day Saint Doctrine

Quick take

Latter-day Saints believe families can be eternal, bound together beyond death.
Sacred temple ordinances, called sealings, enable these eternal family connections.
The home is considered the primary place for gospel learning and spiritual growth.
This belief provides hope for enduring relationships and shapes daily life priorities.

For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, family relationships are not merely important social structures but are considered divine in origin and eternal in potential. This belief shapes daily life, religious practices, and understanding of humanity's purpose, viewing family as central to God's plan for His children, meant to endure beyond mortal life.

The Doctrine of Eternal Families and Temple Sealings

A core Latter-day Saint teaching is that families can be together forever. This isn't just a hope, but a doctrine made possible through sacred temple ordinances called "sealings." A husband and wife can be sealed together for time and all eternity in a temple, and children born to or adopted by such a couple are likewise sealed to them. This sealing power is believed to be the same authority held by ancient prophets, restored to the earth in modern times.

This ordinance means that the marital and family bonds, if entered into faithfully and lived worthily, are not dissolved by death but can continue eternally. It provides a profound sense of continuity and purpose to family life, encouraging members to nurture loving, righteous relationships with the understanding that these connections can last forever.

Home-Centered Gospel Living and Family History

Because family is so central, religious education and worship are heavily focused within the home. Parents are seen as the primary spiritual instructors for their children. Practices like daily family prayer, scripture study together, and "Family Home Evening" (a dedicated night each week for family activities, lessons, and bonding) are encouraged to strengthen family bonds and teach gospel principles.

The emphasis on eternal families also fuels a significant focus on family history research. Members are encouraged to identify their ancestors and perform temple ordinances, including sealings, on their behalf. This practice connects generations, past and present, reinforcing the belief in an eternal family chain.

This belief system matters because it provides deep meaning and purpose to family life, offering hope that the love and relationships forged in mortality can continue beyond the grave. It influences choices about marriage, parenting, and how time and resources are prioritized, with an eternal perspective guiding decisions. For Latter-day Saints, building a strong, righteous family is not just a societal good, but a fundamental part of their spiritual journey and preparation for eternal life.

Key Practices for Family-Centered Living

**Family Home Evening:** A dedicated weeknight for family activities, lessons, and bonding.
**Family Prayer:** Encouraged daily, often morning and evening, as a family.
**Scripture Study:** Families are encouraged to read scriptures together regularly.
**Temple Attendance:** Participating in temple ordinances, including sealings for the living and the dead.
**Family History Research:** Actively researching ancestors to connect generations.

Do Latter-day Saints believe all families will automatically be together forever?

No, the sealing of families for eternity is a sacred ordinance performed in temples, requiring faith, obedience to covenants, and worthiness from family members. It's not automatic but conditional upon individual choices and God's grace.

What if someone isn't married or doesn't have children?

Latter-day Saint doctrine teaches that all worthy individuals who desire eternal family blessings will ultimately have the opportunity to receive them, whether in this life or the next. God's plan is inclusive, and no one will be denied essential blessings due to circumstances beyond their control.

Is this belief only for biological families?

The sealing power extends to both biological and legally adopted children. The emphasis is on the eternal family unit, regardless of how it is formed in mortality, provided it is sealed in the temple.

How does this relate to the Latter-day Saint view of marriage as between a man and a woman?

The doctrine of eternal families is based on the belief that eternal marriage, as established by God, is between a man and a woman. This foundational understanding is central to the temple sealing ordinances and the perpetuation of families for eternity.

What is the significance of the temple in all of this?

Temples are considered sacred houses of the Lord where essential ordinances, including the sealing of families for eternity, are performed by priesthood authority. These ordinances are seen as crucial for individuals and families to return to live with God.

Sources

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Family: A Proclamation to the World," 1995.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Gospel Topics: Family," ChurchofJesusChrist.org.