A bomb or THE bomb?

My mother, who was born in 1964, grew up in a household of eight children. At that time in history there were 3,000,000,000 people on the earth. A book was published, called “The Population Bomb” written by Paul R. Ehrlich about how the world would run out of resources if families, like my mother’s, insisted on having lots of children. He claimed that overpopulation would be our ruin, depleting our resources, and leaving mass starvation in its wake. He compared having five children to robbing a bank, saying that it was the equivalent of how much one family uses in resources.

I grew up in a household of seven children, just one of many large families in my area. I loved having a large variety of siblings because I always had someone to hang out with, especially if I was mad at one of my other siblings. Having a big family has been the bomb (see title). A few years ago, I asked my parents why they had so many children. They said, “We had as many as we felt God wanted us to have.” I admired their reasoning for involving the Lord in the decision-making process for how many children they should have. It was an incredible example of faith and trust in God’s plan for them.

As I’ve looked at the views of Paul R. Ehrlich and the views of my grandparents and parents, I’ve come to realize how important it is for there to be a balance. I appreciate the views of Mr. Ehrlich because he is concerned for the well-being of mankind, but I think that, coupled with being aware of the effects of having a big family, we should involve the Lord in the decision for how many children we should have.

While studying this topic, I was directed to a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants that shows us God’s view. In verse 17 it says, “For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.” God has given us this land as a land of promise. He says that we will have plenty to spare, so long as we keep His commandments. The first commandment He gave was to “multiply and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28). When opinions such as Mr. Ehrlich’s are presented, it can begin to sway our opinion of how large a family should be, because none of us want to live in a world that has been depleted of resources. We couldn’t live in a world like that! God has shown us that He has other plans that are in play, and He just asks that we make His plans our plans.

President Spencer W. Kimball said, "You did not come on earth just to ‘eat, drink and be merry.’ You came knowing full well your responsibilities. You came to get for yourself a mortal body that could become perfected, immortalized, and you understood that you were to act in partnership with God in providing bodies for other spirits equally anxious to come to the earth for righteous purposes. And so you will not postpone parenthood. There will be rationalists who will name to you numerous reasons for postponement. Of course, it will be harder to get your college degrees or your financial start with a family, but strength like yours will be undaunted in the face of difficult obstacles.”

I’m not saying that every family should be large; Heavenly Father has a specific plan for each person. He takes into account every person’s specific needs and circumstances. He understands how hard it is for women with mental illnesses to care for large families. He understands the struggle women face with infertility. He understands disabled husbands, loss of a job, or anything else that could limit resources and finances for a family. Whatever the circumstance may be, He will be there to counsel with each couple as they determine what the right amount of children is for each family. He will take care of our country and our resources, because He has promised time and time again that He will provide for those who keep His commandments.