The Family
A Proclaimation 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
worshiped 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 his or her divine destiny as an heir 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 futher 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" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred
duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to
provide fo their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them
to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of
God and to 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. Mother are primarily responsible for the
nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities,
fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal
parthners. 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 proclaimation 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.
