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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
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.
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.
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