President Dallin H. Oaks, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reminded his audience in his recent general conference address in October 2025 that the Family Declaration declares that “the family is ordained of God” and “is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of his children.”
BYU Pathways Worldwide President Brian K. Ashton and his wife, Melinda Ashton, reiterated President Oaks’ prophetic exhortation regarding the importance of family as ordained by God in an address to BYU Pathway students around the world on a Friday, January 9th broadcast.
“The family is central to God’s plan, because only within our families can we be exalted,” President Ashton said. “Family is also where we experience our greatest joy.”
President Ashton said that since President Oaks’ speech, he has heard from students concerns about marriage and childbearing. In response to those concerns, he quoted 1 Nephi 3:7. “The Lord does not give commands to the children of men, but he prepares a way for them, that they may accomplish what he has commanded.”
Sister Ashton also spoke to people who are worried about their ability to get married.
“Know that God has a way for you to fulfill this commandment,” she said. “Your job is to move forward prayerfully and in faith. God will help you find someone with similar beliefs, goals, hopes, and dreams. God will help you overcome the barriers to your rightful desire to get married. He will also help you obtain the funds for marriage.”
She also acknowledged that some faithful Latter-day Saints cannot marry or have children in this life.
“This is not an indication of God’s displeasure or your worthiness. Sometimes God’s timing is different than ours. Waiting on the Lord’s timing can be difficult and painful, but the Savior knows how we feel and can comfort us.”
Sister Ashton said all faithful people will eventually be able to keep these commandments and enjoy the blessings.
President Ashton said God also helps couples fulfill the commandment to have children.
“The number of children a couple should have is a decision between the couple and God,” he said.
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President and Sister Ashton have seen in their lives Nephi’s promise that the Lord will “prepare the way” for what he “has commanded.”
The Ashton sisters said they and President Ashton had been praying about when to start their own family, and that it felt right to do so while they were still graduate students. Sister Ashton was unable to return to medical school after giving birth, but she said God gave her peace about the path she would pursue.
President Ashton said, “Two of our children came as welcome surprises. Others came as a result of prayer and revelation.”
He added that God has supported and inspired them in raising their seven children.
“As mission leaders, we only got about four hours of sleep each night for the first few months because our baby had colic, but God gave us plenty of sleep,” he said. “Having a large family is hard work, but our children have brought us so much joy.”
Sister Ashton testified that God helps sustain those who are prayerful and obedient to His direction.
President Ashton concluded the devotional by saying, “It is through the Savior’s life, example, and sacrifice on our behalf that God’s plan for His children is realized. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, performing the ordinances of salvation, and keeping the associated covenants that we receive God’s power to keep His commandments and ultimately to be exalted as a family.”
