Every Latter-day Saint is in the middle of an eternal family, said Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, a General Authority Seventy. One’s role in that family can be a turning point at which significant changes can occur in positive or negative ways.
“Your faithfulness in the gospel will strengthen your family,” he said.
Elder Choi spoke of his own family’s conversion experience. In the seven months after his immediate family joined the Church, 23 of his relatives were baptized. Later, 130 people converted following his father’s member-missionary work.
Family history was also a priority for Elder Choi’s family.
“The fruits of our family conversion … have increased in countless ways, not only among the living but also among the dead,” he said. “Building upon the work of my father and others, our family tree now spans to 32 generations and we are now completing temple work for many branches. Today I am amazed and feel great joy linking our ancestors and descendants.”
Families will be blessed when they live the gospel and follow the Lord’s commandments.
“It is not easy for us to recognize the love of Heavenly Father when we look around with our temporal eyes because we see inconvenience, loss, burdens, or loneliness first. On the other hand, we can see the blessings beyond when we look up. The Lord has revealed, ‘when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated’ ” (Doctrine and Covenants 130: 20-21).
And to those who embark in the service of God — “Know that you are a solid connection for powerful blessings to those before you and to generations after you.”
Elder Choi said he is grateful for his family members who are faithful on the “covenant path” and saddened to imagine any leaving that path.
“It is never too late to look up to Jesus Christ,” he said. “His arms are always open to you. There are generations before us and after us depending on us to follow Christ so that we can be an eternal family of God.”
Daily scripture study and partaking of the sacrament each week helps one gain the strength “to always look up.”
