My Answer to a Big Question

I was asked the question: What if after you have this baby, and you get pregnant again, you have another girl? This of course is in response to my post about how I know there is one more boy that is supposed to come to our family.

Here is my answer to this difficult question:

First, John and I have been told, through personal revelation that there is one more boy that is supposed to join our family at some point. Both John and I believe this to be true and from God. I first received this answer after I quit praying and asking to be done having children. I think that this answer really was an answer to my question, "Can I be done?" I think the answer that there is one more boy, is letting me know that when there is one more boy, our family will be complete.

So what if I get pregnant again after this baby and it is another girl? Then I know that my family is not yet complete, and I am not done having children.

Second, I do not think another pregnancy resulting in a girl means that I received incorrect revelation. It is true that it can be hard to separate revelation from emotions. But, I have found through experience that the more I act on the impressions I receive, the more sure I am about an impression the next time. I know that if I go through my life doubting personal revelation, then I will no longer have the privilege of receiving it. By not doubting, but by exercising faith, I have become more sure about what is from God and what is not from God. I love President Monson's story on this topic about who he should call on to speak during a Temple dedication. You can read the talk here.

Heavenly Father expects us to have faith in Him, in His Son, in the revelations given to us in scriptures, in the revelations given to us through the current day prophets and apostles, in the revelation given to us through our Bishops and local priesthood leaders, and faith in the revelations He gives to us about our personal lives and families.

Elder Russel M. Nelson said, "For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.” Then with your firm “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,” you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you."

In one of my favorite talks, Elder Richard G. Scott, in Octpber 2009 said, "Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness." and in the same talk Elder Scott said, "What may appear initially to be a daunting task will be much easier to manage over time as you consistently strive to recognize and follow feelings prompted by the Spirit. Your confidence in the direction you receive from the Holy Ghost will also become stronger. I witness that as you gain experience and success in being guided by the Spirit, your confidence in the impressions you feel can become more certain than your dependence on what you see or hear."

I know that a loving Heavenly Father is there and willing to tell each us about our own families. We are instructed that how many children and how far apart a couple has their children is between the couple and God. I am very grateful that we are not left to ourselves with these difficult decisions, but that we are offered revelation and assistance from a loving Heavenly Father.