This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2021.

Michael A. Goodman has worked for the Church Educational System since 1989 and was the manager of CES College Curriculum before joining the Brigham Young University Church History and Doctrine department in 2007. He is a professor of Religious Education and serves as the RSC’s Associate Publications Director and the Editor of the Religious Educator journal. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with Public Relations, a master’s degree in Information Technology, and a PhD in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. He is a co-investigator on the Family Foundations of Youth Development longitudinal research project, focused on adolescent and family faith development and mental health outcomes with a special emphasis on suicidality. Michael is married to Tiina Anita Goodman.

Links

Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

1:55 BYU Eternal Families course chair and online curriculum author

4:10 How does BYU teach the doctrine of Eternal Families?

Courses based on doctrine with some social science mixed in

Eternal principles and daily principles taught (money, sexuality etc)

5:50 We don’t have to convince BYU students that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints values families, but they don’t often know why.

8:30 D&C 131 and 132: The Degrees of Glory and importance of eternal families

10:40 The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Quotes document.

11:40 President Oaks Quote: “Our theology begins with Heavenly Parents. Our greatest aspiration is to be like them.” “The purpose of mortal like and the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to prepare the sons and daughters of God for their eternal destiny- to become like our Heavenly Parents.”

13:35 Divine Identity and Divine Destiny… as children of God

15:45 Mother in Heaven: foundational doctrine

16:35 When speaking to single adults after the foundation has been laid, what do you say next? …Well someday?!? NO! Acknowledge their pain and the issues they face.

17:45 Neil L. Anderson quote: “We will continue to teach the Lord’s pattern for families, but now with millions of members and the diversity among those in the church we need to be more thoughtful and sensitive. Our church culture and vernacular are sometimes quite unique. The Primary children are not going to stop singing 'Families can be Together Forever' but when they sing 'I’m so happy when Daddy comes home' or 'With father and mother leading the way…', not all children will be singing about their family.”

20:50 What do we need to know now, to feel joy now? Four overarching principles:

No one denied any promised blessing because of something outside of their control

YOU are included in the plan of salvation, and because of that inclusion there is hope.

Heavenly Father will not abrogate agency.

God loves us with a perfect love and will do anything in his power to exalt us.

Through the grace of Christ, Heavenly Father can provide solutions to those things outside our control (24:51)

26:04 Quote President Kimball: “We promise you that in as far as eternity is concerned, NO soul will be deprived of rich and high and eternal blessings for anything which they could not help. That the Lord never fails in his promises. Every righteous person will eventually receive ALL to which they are entitled and have not forfeited through any fault of their own.”

28:15 Stay covenant-connected.

28:30 Quote President Nelson: Through no failing of their own “they” deal with the trails of life alone. May we all be reminded that in the Lord’s own way and time no blessing will be withheld from his faithful saints. The Lords will judge and reward each individual according to their heartfelt desires as well as deeds.”

29:45 It’s ok if you aren’t the “ideal” family yet… Richard G. Scott quote and discussion

31:55 Live relationally now!