Do I have to be with my parents in the eternities?

Question

Gramps,

I left the church a few years ago. I’m uncertain what is true, but just in case this is I don’t want to end up with my parents in the next life. They both have remarried and been sealed to their partners, but my mom has just told me she doesn’t want me in her life anymore and my dad as hurt me in so many ways. They are both narcissistic. Please tell me a way around this

Madelin

Answer

Madelin,

I’m so sorry for the pain you have felt on account of your parents.

While it doesn’t sound like your earthly father has had the ability to love you as a father should, can you imagine an ideal father? One who loves his children and would do anything, righteous, to help them grow and be happy? That is the kind of father our Father in Heaven is. He loves us with a perfect love. He desires our happiness and joy. He knows because we live in a fallen world sometimes children go to families that are less than ideal. He is sorry for your pain.

The opportunity to be with our families eternally is meant to be a blessing, never a curse. Our Heavenly Father, who loves us dearly, will not force you to spend eternity with parents you don’t want to be with. That would not be heavenly would it? That would be hell, and that is not His design for us. I do not know how all these things will be worked out, but for now, I suggested trusting the Lord and His love for you.

Again He is sorry for your pain. He is blessing you with His Spirt, and with angels. You probably don’t see them, but they are there. Many of our leaders have spoken of this blessing. I’ll just quote one here. President Joseph F. Smith said,

“I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. . . . I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. . . . Their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves.”   Angels, Chariots, and the Lord of Hosts

The book, Angels: Agents of Light, Love and Power by Donald W. Parry has many more of these quotes by leaders if you are interested.

Madelin, our Heavenly Father loves you and would like to see you return to Him. Don’t take my word for it. Pray about it. Ask Him. He is the Perfect Father. He loves you and wants to be a part of your life.

Gramps