When we look into the eyes of a child, we see a fellow child of God with whom we lived before we were born. It is the great privilege of a childbearing couple to provide mortal bodies for the spirit children of God. We believe that families and children are important. When a child is born to a couple, they fulfill part of our Heavenly Father's plan to bring children to earth. The Lord said, “This is my work and my glory — to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” 1 Before becoming immortal, one must first become mortal. The family is ordained of God. Families are central to our Heavenly Father's plan here on earth and throughout eternity. After Adam and Eve were married, the scriptures stated, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” 2 prophet and apostle in our day, “The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential as husband and wife. We declare that God's command to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. ”3 This commandment has not been forgotten or set aside in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.4 We sincerely appreciate the great faith of couples (especially our spouses) in their willingness to have children. When to have children and how many children is up to the couple and the Lord. These decisions are sacred — decisions that must be made with sincere prayer and great faith.