The importance of strong families in a world that falters

I recently read an article about euthanasia among young people. Young adults of twenty years old, people whose brains are not even fully developed — because that only happens around the age of twenty-five. The piece made me think. In the Netherlands, and increasingly often in Belgium, the discussion flares up among psychologists and psychiatrists: how should we deal with this? What does this say about our society?

Often the thought arises that such situations point to a failing healthcare system. But while I thought about it, I primarily felt sadness. Because every euthanasia is a tragic fact — not something to blame someone for, but a moment for reflection. We can say that the environment fails, or that the system fails, or even that the person fails. But I don't think we should speak in terms of failure. Rather of warnings, moments when we can learn and listen to the counsel we receive from Christ and our leaders.

What particularly struck me in that article was that when searching for causes, they didn't just speak about social media or the harsh society, but primarily about the lack of strong families. Broken families, contentious divorces, families falling apart. That touched me deeply, because it reminded me of the  The Family: A Proclamation to the World — a document that was released in our church years ago, but is more relevant today than ever.

We, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, are sometimes viewed strangely because we place the family so centrally. We are sometimes accused of having too little attention for those who do not live in a family. But that is a misconception. Emphasizing the importance of the family does not mean we exclude others. It means we recognize that the family is the cornerstone of care, love, and growth — the place where Christ can truly be present.

Deep truths are contained in the proclamation. Some call it “traditional,” but I read timeless wisdom in it: that man and woman are equal, but not identical. That they complement each other and together form a unity. And that the family as a whole is a reflection of God's eternal plan for humanity.

Strong families build strong people. And if we were to apply these principles again — if families found more guidance in the teachings of Christ — then we could help many young people who are now disjointed or lost. That doesn't mean faith solves all problems. But it offers a foundation. It helps us find ways to support each other, to persevere, to not give up when life gets tough.

Our young people need that today more than ever. The world has become harsh. We truly live in the last days, and the pressure is immense. For centuries, we lived with the idea that the future would always be better. Now many realize that this might not be the case. That progress is not self-evident. And that we therefore need new sources of hope.

Precisely for this reason, we must invite the Savior into our family. Not as a symbolic thought, but truly: by praying together, reading together, talking together about what concerns us. These are not small gestures — these are moments of strength. In common prayer, you hear what is on the minds of your children, your partner. And by making that discussable, connection arises.

Within our church community, we also have a task: to take care of young people, offer them meaningful activities, and strengthen them spiritually. This requires continuous effort. We must stay close to them, listen, guide, respond to their needs. The most important thing is that they know they are not alone. That they have a trusting relationship with their parents, with leaders, with people who are truly there for them.

These bonds are sacred. They transcend time and circumstances. They are, in the deepest sense, eternal. And they are the antidote to the loneliness and despair that so many young people feel today.

Let us therefore not speak in terms of failure, but of possibilities. Not of guilt, but of service. We have the power of faith, of community, of love. With it we can help, comfort, bear. And if we continue to seek the guidance of our Heavenly Father and of Christ in this, we will find ways to truly be there - for everyone who is struggling.