Modern Fertility Patterns and God’s Commandment to Multiply and Replenish the Earth

“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”

Let’s first talk about where we came from; before this life we lived in heaven with our Heavenly Father; we lived with our family as spirit children. God presented a plan for us to come to earth, learn and return to live with him. Families are vital to this plan. The Successful Marriages and Families textbook has said that “The earth was designed to be a habitation for spirit children of our Heavenly Father as they come from the premortal existence, are clothed with an earthly tabernacle and ‘gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection’”.  

We have been commanded to multiply and replenish the earth. Genesis 1:28 states “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” He was speaking to Adam and Eve, the first to people on this earth. This commandment that was given to them is still in place today.

Modern fertility patterns show that the size of families is decreasing with some people choosing to have no children at all. There is a fear of overpopulation and the of contraceptive is higher than ever. Some may ask the question: Why Parenting? Why have kids? Does is really matter whether we choose to become parents? I believe that answer to this question yes, it does matter whether we choose to become parents. Brigham Young said “There are multitudes of pure and holy spirits waiting to take tabernacles, now what is our duty?—To prepare tabernacles for them…” There are unique circumstances for each individual and family. Some couples want kids but are not able to bear them, Heavenly Father looks at our heart, our willingness and our acceptability in our circumstances.

Spencer W Kimball has said “Of course, it will be harder to get your college degrees or your financial start with a family, but strength like yours will be undaunted in the face of difficult obstacles. Have your family as the Lord intended. Of course it is expensive, but you will find a way…young people, have your family, love them, sacrifice for them, teach them righteousness, and you will be blessed and happy all the days of your eternal lives."

My little family is in this situation right now; my husband and I decided to go back to school just last year. We have three children, I work from home and go to school full time. It’s hard, but just like Spencer Kimball said our family has been truly blessed. When we had our third child last year, I was worried what others might think; we are not wealthy by any means but we love our kids and if we can be the means by which they can gain a body and progress, we will do what we can to provide for them.