Book Four - True Family
Chapter Eleven - The Family Is The Eternal Foundation Of Happiness
Section 1. Why Do We Like the Family?

Why do we like the family? Because it provides the foundation on which you can freely exchange love and happiness. Hence, people yearn for their hometown, the place where their parents and siblings live. (38-328, 1971.1.8)

The family is a good place. Why is it good? Because your parents, siblings and your relatives are all there. Thus, everyone is homesick for their native land, their hometown. They think of their hometown more than their nation. Even while living in the Republic of Korea, the place they long for is their hometown. (23-151, 1969.5.1)

Why do you all like your families? It is because the family serves as the basis of free activity centering on parental love. By the same token, God must be able to act freely. When society becomes one that is composed of internally-oriented human beings, who have the shining core of love however shabby they may look, God will be free. Is that not so? When you visit someone's house as a guest, do you not feel uncomfortable? Why? Because no bond of love exists there for you. You feel awkward because that love does not emanate in all directions. Thus, the path we are to walk is one of character. (99-305)

What is the best thing in the family? It is not decided by you. Then what would be the highest value of the family? It is the parents. Even for you as individuals, power, knowledge, honor or money could be valuable; yet none of them could be superior to parents. Your spouse would come next, and then your children. In fact, in your family, is there anything more precious and valuable than your parents, spouse and children? There is nothing more precious. Then why do you like your parents and why do you like your spouse and children? It is because love is there. Parental love is something absolutely needed by the children. Also, fraternal love and filial love are absolutely necessary in the family. (112-289, 1981.4.25)

Who are the most beloved people in your families? Are they not your parents? Why do you like them most? It is because they are closest to you in a relationship of love throughout their lives. Your beloved spouse comes next. If husband and wife love each other unconditionally rather than conditionally, and if this love becomes one that is reciprocated within their conjugal relationship, even if it may not be closely related to an eternal love absolutely given by Heaven, that love will be the greatest thing to bring happiness and harmony to their family.

This is how I see it. Filial love, the love children have toward their parents, is next. If children can sacrifice themselves for their parents and love them with a bright and positive attitude rather than despair, while longing for ideal circumstances in which their love can sprout as the hope of tomorrow, that love will be one with pure and true value for the happiness of that family. Thus, if there is a family that is complete with true parental love, true conjugal love and true filial love, we cannot but conclude that it is the most ideal family in this world. (Blessed Family - 913)