--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Peery, Joseph S. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 23 number: 4 published: 1920-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Peery, Joseph S., "I Want My Family Forever," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 4 (February 1920): 304–305.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2304unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2304unse start_page: 304 end_page: 305 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2304unse publication_year: 1920 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # I Want My Family Forever I Want my Family Forever By Joseph S. Peery A brief discussion on Temple Block. Guide — "Does the family relationship continue after this or does it cease with death?" li(e, — A gentleman in the company of tourists "The Savior said there are no marriages in heaven, therefore it ceases." — Guide "The gentleman quotes the words of the Savior to the Sadducees: 'In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.' Matt. 22:30. The great body of humanity believes that these words mean that the family relationship ceases with this life, and they are consistent, as they marry for life only, until death do them part. Only one Church claims the authority to marry for time and eternity, and that is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Where do we get our authority? Divine authority is what counts. Paul says, in Heb. 5:4, 'No man taketh this honor unto himself but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.' Moses was commissioned of God to call Aaron to the Priesthood. The Savior said to his apostles: 'Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.' Matt. 18:18. Peter, James and John, resurrected beings, conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery this same authority of the apostleship. By the laying on of hands, this authority has come down to us, and under it, in the temples, the marriage ceremony is performed, not only for this life, but for all eternity. If there is anything that will cause a good man to strive to do right, it is the belief that he will have his family in the great beyond. As 'Mormon' parents, we are convinced that when we die, we cannot take our property, but that we can have our children with us in the hereafter." — A lady "That appeals to me very much." — Another tourist "It also appeals to me." However, the gentleman who quoted the Savior's words wanted to keep up the argument. Later on, he engaged the guide in private conversation. Finally the guide asked, "What is an angel?" The gentleman answered, "A ministering spirit." The guide then said, "As you understand it, an angel is a ministering spirit, who ministers to others. I do not care to contend with you on the matter. If you are satisfied simply to be a ministering spirit to others, well and good, but as for me, I want something more, I want my family forever." The gentleman saw the point. The controversy ended with the stranger's remark, "I believe I will get a Book of Mormon." © Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. ANTI-AIRCRAFT PROTECTION FOR THE PANAMA CANAL This is a photo of one of the anti-aircraft guns which guard the Panama Canal from air attacks. The guns have been placed on con- crete bases in such location as to protect the vital works of the canal.