Meet our Family needs through our Councils (by B.Gregory)

In an occasion the Savior taught, ´´For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish´´ (Luke 14: 28-30). I never forgot the time I read these verses and how they impacted my life and my conception about planning.  Taking this teaching in Family concept could be the best way to implement this principle in our Family Council that may help us put the foundation of problem solving, the foundation of love, kindness, patience, tolerance; it is through our council we may evaluate our progression as family and be able to implement or improve ourselves as couple.

Planning has always been one of the characteristics of God, according to the Scriptures, we read before the creation of the world there was a Great Council presided by Elohim, who presented a perfect plan in which his children could come on the earth, obtain a body and then will return in his presence. Although nobility and humility reigned among those who are willing to support the Plan of the Father, which had one of its purposes to preserve the free will of the children of men to enable them to progress. But, it was where we learned about the beginning of our opposition in mortality.

Our Heavenly Father invites us to be like Him, it was through this request we recognize our potential and characteristic as we follow Him we could be and do the same thing He did. Our family council provides us opportunity to plan and resolve any issues we may face as family, but it is important to recognize which way we face. Elder M. Russell Ballard says, ´´A family council, when conducted with love and with Christlike attributes, will counter the impact of modern technology that often distracts us from spending quality time with each other and also tends to bring evil right into our homes.´´ I doubt not in our Family Council our leadership may improve and the power of the priesthood manifest. Nevertheless, Elder Ballard suggests at least four types of family councils:

First, a general family council consisting of the entire family.

Second, an executive family council consisting of a mother and father.

Third, a limited family council consisting of parents and one child.

Fourth, a one-on-one family council consisting of one parent and one child.

In spite all those suggestions, the main point is seeking for the Holy Ghost,  like Elder Henry B. Eyring says; ´´Where people have that Spirit with them, we may expect harmony. The Spirit puts the testimony of truth in our hearts, which unifies those who share that testimony. The Spirit of God never generates contention (see 3 Ne.11:29). It leads to personal peace and a feeling of union with others. It unifies souls. A unified family, a unified Church, and a world at peace depend on unified souls.´´