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
A. Marriage and The Family, Central to Creator's
Plan
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.
B. Heavenly Parents, Gender Essential
to Our Identity and Purpose
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.
C/D. Obtain Physical Body & Gain
Earthly Experience; Family Relationships Perpetuated Beyond the Grave
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.
E. Sacred Powers of Procreation
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.
F. The Sanctity of Life
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.
E. Children “An Heritage of the Lord,”
A Sacred Duty
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 for 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.
C/D.
Birth, Death; Fathers Preside, Provide; Mothers Nurture as Equal Partners
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.
B. Fulfill Family Responsibilities,
Covenants
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.
A.
The Family is the Fundamental Unit of Society
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.
OUTLINE
A. Marriage and The Family, Central to
Creator's Plan
B. Heavenly Parents, Gender Essential
to Our Identity and Purpose
C/D. Obtain Physical Body &
Gain Earthly Experience; Family Relationships Perpetuated Beyond the Grave
E. Sacred Powers of Procreation
F. The Sanctity
of Life
E. Children “An Heritage of the Lord,” A Sacred
Duty
C/D. Birth/Death; Fathers Preside,
Provide; Mothers Nurture as Equal Partners
B. Fulfill Family Responsibilities, Covenants
A. The Family is the Fundamental Unit of Society
~
Suggested outline by Scott L. Vanatter.
See also a comparison
to Man's
Search for Happiness.
Return to https://www.angelfire.com/va/vanatter/index.html
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