The Family
A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
This
proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his
message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995,
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
I was listening to this broadcast in New Hampshire when this proclamation was read by President Hinckley. I remember having tears on my cheeks because the Holy Spirit witnessed the truth of it so strongly inside my heart. I knew this was from God. I knew that President Hinckley and the Apostles had been directed by Heavenly Father to prepare and publish these eternal principles to the world, so that they would be available for everyone.
We who believe in Joseph Smith the prophet, in the Book of Mormon, in President Thomas S. Monson, still have doubts and trials, worries, fears, problems, joys - everything normal in this world. But we also have Hope, Knowledge, Promises, that encourage us to continue in the straight path that Jesus Christ pointed out. When we leave that path, Satan surrounds us with his myriad arguments of confusion. And until we get back on that path, repentant and contrite and willing to have Hope, Faith and Belief, we will continue to stumble along in the dark.
The Ensign magazine is truly a standard to the world. This year's monthly publications have so many suitable articles in them that I can only say, Read Them All!! Whether you read online or with the actual magazine in your hands, they will show you the way to Happiness and Peace. The church websites, lds.org, and mormon.org, have wonderful links to many encouraging articles.
Truly, the best part about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and a Mormon, is the wonderful love and encouragement found in the Church as a whole. It is the doctrines and teachings of God to His children that can lead us out of the darkness into the light. The choices we make as individuals change our lives, and the lives of those we love. We owe it to ourselves to make the very best choices we can.
I invite you to learn more about Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost by investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Come with an open heart and a willing mind, and you will learn and realize ideas that you have always known to be true but haven't known where to find them.
I know this is the true church of God. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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