The Family Team

Families are composed of individuals who should work together towards an eternal goal. Each individual needs to do their part in reaching the goal, but at the same time there must be a unity in the family that allows the family to be treated as one entity.
In describing the relationship between husband and wife the Lord said: "...and they shall be one flesh." (Gen. 2:24). It doesn't seem to me that the Lord only intended husband and wife to be "one flesh", but also children. The family resembles the Godhead in the essence that it is one in unity and purpose, but separate individuals. It can also be similar to a sports team. Each player has a role, and each role must be carried out in order to keep the team progressing. The father presides as the patriarch, provider and protector while mother nurtures. Both father and mother share the responsibility of teaching the children correct principles, but that doesn't mean that the children can kick their feet up and relax. Elder Richard J. Maynes taught: "when children love and support their parents by learning and practicing the principles their parents teach, the result will be the establishment of a Christ-centered home." Children act as a support and sometimes even an example in the family to uphold the Lord's standards. These duties shouldn't shouldn't aggrandize, or belittle any member of the family, but should instill a sense of purpose, and motivation for all to reach the eternal goal. These duties never diminish, or disappear. Even though a son or daughter becomes a husband or wife doesn't mean they no longer have a tie to their mother or father. They have just increased their responsibility.
This constant unity and striving toward an eternal goal will add to the fulfillment of our lives. In the same address Elder Maynes stated: "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ taught, and we should obey; in fact it is in our best interest to do so.
Satan is contrary to happiness. Our eternal happiness is not one of Satan’s objectives. He knows that an essential key to making men and women miserable like himself is to deprive them of family relationships which have eternal potential.