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.
