According to the Fifth Epochal Revelation, family life is not merely a social arrangement; it is the fundamental building block of civilization and the primary school for spiritual development. The Urantia Papers elevate the family as the most sacred of all human institutions.

Here is a breakdown of the value of family life as presented in the Revelation:

1. The School of Character (The "Nursery of Spirit")

The family is the primary place where humans learn to move from selfishness to altruism.

• Socialization: In a family, children learn to adjust their desires to the needs of the group. This is the first step toward becoming a "cosmic citizen."

• The Soil of Evolution: Paper 84 states that the family is the "cradle of the developing soul." It is where the "social, moral, and spiritual" nature of the child is nurtured.

2. The Mirror of the "Fatherhood of God"

The most profound value of the family is that it provides the human vocabulary necessary to understand God.

• The Concept of Father: Without the experience of a loving human parent, it is difficult for a child to grasp the concept of a loving Universal Father.

• The Concept of Brotherhood: The relationship between siblings is the earthly model for "The Brotherhood of Man."

• Jesus’ View: Jesus taught that the "family of God" is the highest reality. He used the family as the primary metaphor for the Kingdom of Heaven.

3. The Stabilizer of Civilization

The Revelation warns that no nation or civilization can survive the decay of the home.

• Preservation of Values: The family is the mechanism that passes down the "accumulated wisdom of the ages" to the next generation.

• Emotional Security: It provides the "peace and poise" necessary for individuals to face the struggles of the external world.

4. Mutual Growth for Parents and Children

The value of family life is not just for the children; it is essential for the spiritual progress of the parents.

• Sacrificial Love: Parenthood forces adults to practice selfless service and "unselfish devotion," which are the highest spiritual traits.

• The Parent-Child Bond: This bond is so important that the papers suggest that mortals who do not have the experience of being parents on Earth will have to undergo similar "parental training" in the afterlife (the Mansion Worlds) to complete their experience.

Comparison: Biological vs. Spiritual Family

The papers distinguish between the biological family (based on blood) and the spiritual family (based on faith).