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A Proclamation to the World
Here is the Family Proclamation to the World as designed by the First
Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints given by
President Hinckley at the General Relief Society Conference on
September 23, 1995.
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 pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity
and purpose.
In the pre-mortal 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 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"
(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.
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.
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