To the Ends of the Earth

[Dusty52]

If you were faced with a choice of following your family or the church which would you chose?
I'm saying this because I know a lot of families who are split, wouldn't it be better to come down on the side of family?

[jsk]

It depends on the specific circumstances. In the scriptures the Lord says he comes to put Father against sin, Mother against daughter and brother against brother. What do you take that to mean? I take it to mean that there will be many who accept the Gospel but who will then be rejected by their family.

My grandmother was rejected by her atheist father for joining the Church. She was greatly saddened by losing that relationship but never regretted joining the Church. I honor her for her decision.

Your question is too broad to definitely answer without knowing specific context.

[Arganoil]

Family, family, always and always family. Church is only a vehicle, an institution. Family is forever and ireplacable.

[LadyT]

I think it really depends. My mom lost her parents and siblings because she joined the church. She gained way more because of it. I look at her life and the ones of her siblings. She came out ahead of them all.

I will follow my husband pretty much anywhere. I trust him more than anyone else. He is my partner. I would pick him over anything and anyone.

[drtanner]

I’d follow Jesus. Matthew 19:29

[Robin Hood]

If you were faced with a choice of following your family or the church which would you chose?
I'm saying this because I know a lot of families who are split, wouldn't it be better to come down on the side of family?

You present a false choice.
Family or the Lord is the choice.
In this regard the scriptures are clear and unequivocal... we follow the Lord.

[Dusty52]

It's a choice that is faced my many in the church it is not as clear cut as you make out

[Robin Hood]

It's a choice that is faced my many in the church it is not as clear cut as you make out

I disagree. It is absolutely clear-cut.
When necessary we are to forsake homes, land, riches and even family in order to follow the Lord.
No one is saying this is an easy thing to do.

[mes5464]

Matthew 10:37
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

[EmmaLee]

If you were faced with a choice of following your family or the church which would you chose?
I'm saying this because I know a lot of families who are split, wouldn't it be better to come down on the side of family?

Are you equating 'the Church' with Christ/God? I do not. I will always put family before the Church (unless the Lord clearly tells me otherwise, which he never has) - but I will never put family before Christ/God.

[John Tavner]

Yeah, I don't mean to put words in Robin Hood's mouth, but I think he is saying that the Church is not the Lord. We should always choose the Lord. Christ said he had come to bring a sword, not peace i.e. the sword of truth, which would break up families. During that time period those who were Jews or pagans would reject and deliver up their family members that came to believe in a worship the Savior. So our job here, is to learn the difference between the church and the Savior. The church does not always act (or the members/those called) under the direction of the Lord. Thus our personal relationship with God is most important. Choosing the church over family is wrong, but choosing the Lord and what He requires over family is correct. At least that is what I have come to believe - that being said, this could probably be written a little better, but right now I lack the patience to word it perfectly. REgardless, there is truth in what I say.

[Dusty52]

If you were faced with a choice of following your family or the church which would you chose?
I'm saying this because I know a lot of families who are split, wouldn't it be better to come down on the side of family?

Are you equating 'the Church' with Christ/God? I do not. I will always put family before the Church (unless the Lord clearly tells me otherwise, which he never has) - but I will never put family before Christ/God.

That is what I'm saying, thank you

[mes5464]

The church is not just a vehicle. The church is formed by Christ because participation in it is important to our salvation. As stated in D&C 20.

As is illustrated in Revelation, the church is important to Christ and their bishops are the stars.

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

[John Tavner]

The church is not just a vehicle. The church is formed by Christ because participation in it is important to our salvation. As stated in D&C 20.

As is illustrated in Revelation, the church is important to Christ and their bishops are the stars.

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Absolutely in can be helpful to gather with people, but we must be very clear - there are save two churches only. The Church of the Lamb of God and the Church of the Devil. Not all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are members of the Church of the Lamb of God. Being a member of this telestial organization will not save us - example look in Matt when the Lord talks about the Jews being children of the devil - that those east and west of the Jews would sit with Abraham and the Fathers, but as they were now, the Jews would not. However, being a member provides the opportunity for us to be baptized by those with proper authority fulfilling a part of the requirements found in the Doctrine of Christ. So the Church can help as we learn and grow from one another, but it is not the "way, the truth and the life" That title only goes to Christ.

[nvr]

What if a husband or wife leaves the church - is it right to divorce them on these grounds? I talked to an acquaintance after a long while apart who'd since gotten divorced from his wife and he mentioned, 'she left the church and we got a divorce' which put this way, sounded like was the driving reason. I'm sure there was likely other factors at play, but it sort of bothered me to think that this was the primary thing he brought up. I don't know the circumstances, but if this was the only issue, wouldn't it be better to try to stay together with the hope that the inactive spouse could eventually be brought around again?

[righteousrepublic]

The church has never claimed to be the anchor for which we are to cling to. Why do church leaders always, always instruct us to read scriptures? This is where we gain our testimonies. This is where we find hope. This is where we find faith. And this is where we find details as to what Christ teaches, what his characteristics are, and in whom we can be saved. He is the truth, the way and life. One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
Going to church, but remaining a sinner without repentance will avail nothing good. Learning about Christ and how he saves us is essential. He is our exemplar in all things. The scriptures teach us of those things. But we must "feast upon the word" in order to acquire the necessary faith levels needed to be strong, steadfast and immovable and to be a witness for Christ in all things, at all times and in all places until death.

The family cannot save you, only Christ can.

Nephi loved his father, Lehi, but he chose Christ over his father knowing only Christ could save him. He also respected his father as a prophet because when Lehi was down as he and his family resided in the wilderness, Nephi asked him...where would you have me go to get game? This helped Lehi to regain his composer and worth.

[natasha]

When I was 15 my father was transferred to Anchorage, Alaska. It was there, during my sophomore year in high school, that I became acquainted with a group of LDS kids. I ended up going to Church and meeting with the missionaries. At age 16 I asked my folks if I could be baptized and they would not give me permission. I waited several months and as hoped, they told me I could be baptized. Being a member of the "Church" has been everything for me. However, when I hear people say that they know the "Church" is true....I know what they really mean....they are talking about the Gospel. It is within the organization of the Church that I am afforded the opportunity to have a temple recommend and partake of those sacred covenants for myself and for my ancestors. So, the Church really is the vehicle that is being used to spread the Gospel, as well as being the avenue through which I attend the temple, etc If you take a minute to look at the structure of the Church you will quickly see that organization is near perfect....and run and operated by imperfect people. It is through this vehicle that we are able to accomplish so much for others and for ourselves. So, as an adult, yes, I would choose the "Church" over family. Depending on your circumstances, however, that does not mean abandoning them. If one is in a married situation and the spouse leaves the Church that in itself would not necessitate "leaving"....there would have to be more serious circumstances. In my situation as a dependent asking for permission to be baptized, which legally I needed to have, I of course would have remained in my family as they were not opposed to my attending church. For some, that might be different...they might be told they can't even attend Church....and being a minor that would undoubtedly call for them staying with their family until they were an adult and/or living on their own. At this point, perhaps many have experienced their families "disowning" them. That would be something they had no control over and it would be hard....I would still pursue and maintain my church membership. After several years, my step-father told me he was proud of me for choosing the standards I had chosen because he would not be able to live those standards. They have all passed on and their work in the temple has been done!