God started it all with a family - Adam and Eve.
He gave the Abrahamic covenant to a family.
Exaltation is only possible as a family.
I don't know all the reasons why God accomplishes so much of His work through the family unit, but I can make some educated guesses.
When families are functioning as they should, they're where we first learn to trust. Our hunger is met when we cry out. We are warmed and comforted. And what is beautiful about these moments of connection is that our parents are learning valuable lessons of trust right alongside us. Their capacity to care and protect expands. Their discipline is sharpened as they stay awake through feedings, and their self-focus diminishes as they intensely administer to someone else's every need through every hour of the day.
Most of the gospel learning that we do for the rest of our lives will look very similar to the basic care that we experience both as children and parents. We learn to trust in Heavenly Parents. We experience their love for us as they tenderly care for us. Then we learn how to use that love to look outside of ourselves and care for others. Every part of the gospel points back to those two types of love.
This is true through the work of the Abrahamic covenant, through our marriage covenants, in our callings, and in every interaction with our neighbors. Trust and love - towards God, and towards each other - are key. We need each other.
