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 identify 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 bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor
martial 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.
