Excessive Individualism

“The family is the most important organization in time or in eternity. Our purpose in life is to create for ourselves eternal family units.”

-Joseph Fielding Smith

After doing my reading this week, I feel strongly to write about excessive individualism and how it is particularly detrimental to our society. When I think of excessive individualism, I think of a person that is strong and independent, which I believe are two very good traits, but I also think of someone who feels that they do not need anyone to make their life complete and somewhat self centered. We are seeing this more and more in our society today, and it is making a huge impact on the family.

When we talk about individualism, we need to make sure that we take note that individualism is not a bad thing and as a married couple we should respect one another’s individual identity because that is important. But when it gets to the point that we lose sight of the ties that bind us together as a family that is here it becomes destructive.

Satan’s plan is to destroy families and he is very good at his craft. As a family we need to feel that tie to one another and that we identify with our families. I have often compared families to team sports with my family. When you are on a team, every position is an important position, with specific responsibilities. You need a full team, playing together to be successful. The same is with a family. We each have specific responsibilities, and we all individually bring something to the family unit. If we were to just lose one member of our family, it would make a huge impact on all of us.

We need to stand strong together in our marriage and our families. We need to let one another know how important they are to us and that we value them and need them. We are here to help one another. Rex D. Pinegar said, “Individual burdens and concerns may be lightened by the power of a family unit in mutual love and support and in prayers of faith.”