Perfection isn't possible in family relationships

 

Finding the Divine Design in Our “Un-ideal” Family

By Jenet Erickson

Associate Professor, Department of Church History and Doctrine, Brigham Young University

Liahona Jan 2023

I have come to believe that “perfection” isn’t actually possible in family relationships, for anyone—at least in this life. But honesty, integrity, and genuine closeness are. In fact, pretending or expecting perfection will interfere with genuine closeness to God, our families, and others. Instead, as we allow ourselves to be seen as we truly are by Christ, our families, and others, including in all that is “less than ideal,” we can invite His sanctifying power into our lives. We can experience His miraculous power to reconcile the unresolvable, fill us with His love, and change us into beings that have deeper relationships with Him and our loved ones.