Bearing Children in Faith

I've thought a lot lately about having children. Of course, I'm currently pregnant, but I've thought a lot about how many we will have, will we have more, why people think I'm too old to have more, do we have the money, etc.

Recently, I've been reading the booklet on the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting about Building up a Righteous Posterity from February 9, 2008. In the Roundtable Discussion it talks and answers a lot of these questions we have. While I wasn't actually able to attend the meeting at that time, I've been extensively absorbing what I've been reading lately in this booklet. I just wanted to mention a few things that hit home with me.

Sister Tanner said, "...we are reminded that the commandment God gave to Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth as husband and wife remains in force." She went on to say that it "requires of us great faith and great courage and often great sacrifice." And that it "requires us to be in tune with the Lord to receive personal revelation". She went on to say that we shouldn't be judgmental of other people who are exercising their faith and having their own personal revelation in regard to that commandment.

I wouldn't ever judge someone because they have many children...I often tease friends immediately after they have a newborn, when they are going to have another one (as if you are thinking about it 2 weeks after you've had that precious gift. lol).

Elder Oaks goes on to say that sometimes we as members look to "worldly priorities in their decisions about childbearing...instead of making those decisions in faith..."

Then, Sister Beck said something that really hit home with me. This statement touched my heart and has continued to do so. She said, "We don't have children because we have money, because we have means. We have children with faith." She goes on to say, "Just as paying tithing is a matter of faith, so is having children a matter of faith. You don't pay tithing with money; you don't have children with money."

I have been pondering these statements and the rest of the material for quite some time. Johnny is already talking about having another one. We know that it is getting harder for me to get pregnant, but we know that if Heavenly Father wants us to have more, we will have more. We certainly aren't putting a stop to it over here in this household, if we feel it is right. After all, it's between the Lord, my husband, and I to make this decision. The Lord didn't feel Sarah was too old to have a baby and I certainly don't feel I'm too old, no matter how many people tell me so. :0)

Recently, on a homeschool list that I'm on, they were talking about this very thing...about being judged as to why some have so many children (or few). Unfortunately, most comments seem to come from within the church. But, many have opted to come up with statements that are quite humorous to nip this. I have to share a few with you that I remember.

Comment: Haven't you figured out what causes that?
Reply: I sure have and we're getting pretty good at; would you like some tips?

Comment: Are these all yours?
Reply: No, I just like to gather up any roaming children as I walk in the store. (Of course you could just wear a T-shirt that says, "Yes, these are all mine.")

Comment: (from family) You have too many children.
Reply: Which one do you think we should get rid of?

Comment: I'm glad it's you and not me.
Reply: I'm glad it's me too.

One favorite was a sister that said her husband was 57 when they had their last child...now a preschooler...and his friends were talking about their grandchildren. He spoke up and said that they were having their own grandchildren. :D

Another favorite out of the booklet, was by Elder Oaks. He said that early in their marriage, his wife, June, was pregnant with their 5th child. An active member came up and said to her, "What are you trying to do, populate the world all by yourself?" He said that he was proud of his wife when she commented back, "I can't think of anyone better to do it."

There were so much more, but just thought I'd give you a laugh.