Book Review: Becoming Forever Families

Reviewed by Lauren Hayataka

A poignant reflection on faith, family, and the everlasting love of Christ

Robert Callaway’s Becoming Forever Families is a compassionate exploration of what awaits our families beyond this life, reflective of Christ’s plan for us.  

Sequel to Through the Eyes of Asperger’s: A Latter-day Saint Perspective and Living a Miracle, this book delves into the profound desire for enduring familial bonds to transcend into the Spirit World, following the Latter-Day Saint viewpoint. Through the lives of the Wilkinson family and their community, Callaway intricately weaves themes of enduring faith, familial love, and the sanctity of forgiveness.  

Despite being categorized as nonfiction, Callaway seamlessly intertwines his religious perspective with the lives of the Wilkinson family and their community, answering fundamental questions about Christ’s blessings for us, the purpose of our existence, and what will occur to those who lack family connections in this life. 

While Callaway places Christ’s love at the center of his answers, he also relies on three fundamental religious principles: the sacrificial death of Christ for humanity’s salvation, the inherent purpose of humanity to exemplify Christlike love and emulate His actions, and the necessity for believers to unite within family units.

Within the narrative, family units are defined as existing between a husband and wife and their children, including extended family members. According to Callaway these family units are pivotal as they establish eternal connections that transcend earthly existence. This belief extends to the practice of sealing immediate relatives into the family unit, even posthumously, allowing them to join the eternal family unit even if they had differing religious views.

Told in the present tense, Callaway explores his religious beliefs within the lives of characters like Sarah Wilkinson, her new husband, Wayne, and her adult children Ethan and Alexis, as well as their community as they journey through mortality and spirituality. Callaway has an unflinchingly honest yet gentle approach to sensitive topics such as the loss of a child, domestic violence, faith crises, and mental health struggles. The narrative skillfully navigates these complexities, always returning to the overarching message that placing trust in the Lord’s plan brings profound peace and purpose.

The quiet optimism conveyed in Callaway’s writing captures his emphasis on human endurance and resilience through faith. Callaway aims to highlight the profound impact of our Savior’s guidance on our lives, emphasizing its importance in significant and trivial matters. Throughout his narrative, Callaway reassures readers that we are not forsaken but rather deeply loved and cherished, a sentiment that resonates clearly through his characters’ experiences and interactions. One cannot help but feel comforted as if none of your worries matter in the bigger picture of it all. 

I recommend you approach this book by reading one chapter at a time, allowing each central lesson to guide your reflections. This approach differs from narratives meant to be consumed all at once; instead, it offers a more profound impact, especially when you need a quiet reminder of your faith. This recommendation holds regardless of whether you share Callaway’s religion or not. 

Becoming Forever Families is not just a story; it’s a collection of reminders about the importance of faith in the Lord and maintaining that faith throughout every stage of life.

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