The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Back in 1995, the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were inspired of the Lord to make a special proclamation. This proclamation was designed to layout the importance of the Family in God's plan for His children both in this life and the life to come.

Here is the proclamation with some of my own thoughts about it...

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.

Volumes could be written on just the first paragraph. I remember when this first came out and I it seemed pretty simple to me. It's amazing that just over 15 years later that you can see why this proclamation is so important.

We cannot hope to gain God's greatest blessings without following his plan for happiness. There are degrees of Joy, and to achieve the highest or fullest joy, it must be shared in the marriage of a Man and a Woman creating a true family with is intended to endure forever.

We are not just a part of a random natural process. We were put here for a purpose. We are God's children. Literally. We were created to even look like Him. Our spirits actually originated from Heavenly parents. This means we have all inherited some of their traits and have divine natures. It's true we have also inherited fallen natures through Adam, but because of Jesus Christ it is possible for us to overcome our fallen natures and claim the divine that is already inside of us. It is the fight between these two natures that is playing out inside each of us right now. But God has provided a trump card for our Divine natures.. that is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If we will have faith in Him, repent of our sins, be baptized, and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost we are found within the bounds of Christs Mercy and Grace. We just need to endure in this state and our divine natures will win out. Our gender was not determined alone by our physical bodies, but we enjoyed the blessings of our gender before this life and will enjoy it eternally.

God did not put us in loving family relationships just for that to end when we die. We are able to be sealed together forever and enjoy the love and commonality that comes from a strong family forever. The family is our greatest training ground. We learn, develop, grow, and become more refined as we rub shoulders with our family members. The purpose of coming to this earth was to progress. We needed experiential knowledge not just academic knowledge. Our goal is to live the life that God lives. To be one with Him. That is called eternal life. The Lord has provided a way through the Temple that everyone who has ever lived on the earth can have an equal chance to learn the Gospel plan and accept it.

The main purpose of our sexual appetites is drive us to have children. We are to raise children in a condition of love and happiness. Each child is entitled to the unique set of qualities that a mother and father bring to the table.

Can you imagine what would happen if everyone was strict to observe the counsel to keep the pro-creative powers within the bounds of marriage between a man and a woman? How much disease would simply vanish? How many children would be spared the heart ache of being reared in a broken home? How much psychological damage would be adverted in the individual lives of those who have been abused sexually? How much health care cost would go away? How much more happy and stable would our society be?

The truth is that we would all be better off. If this simple proclamation was adopted, many of our problems would simply go away. The great blessing is that you can claim the blessings of this proclamation if you will commit to live by it. You can start claiming those blessings today.

Don't forget the important warning at the end the proclamation. If our society does not adhere to these basic principles, the calamities foretold in the scriptures will be the result.

I testify that you can have the blessings outlined in this proclamation. I testify that the principles taught therein are true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Mormon Missionaries

I was a full-time Mormon Missionary. At the age of 19 I received my mission call from the Prophet (Gordon B. Hinckley at the time) and set off for Birmingham Alabama. It was an amazing experience. I had grown up in a small town in Southern Utah called Kanab. It was a big culture shock to go to the South.. but one I cherish to this day.

The people were full of faith. It seemed like there was a different church on every street corner.

It was the most amazing thing to be able to sit down with people and learn about the things that were closest to their hearts.

My mission encompassed most of Alabama, about 1/3 of Mississippi and a few counties of Tennessee. I met people from all stripes of life. I spoke with adherents and leaders of many different faiths. Each person had a unique view of the scriptures and of faith. I had a lot of doors slammed in my face and I did have a lot of people who simply wanted to argue with me and some people who actively tried to convert me to their faith.

All of this however, is to be expected when you are a missionary. My testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ grew in ways that it couldn't have otherwise. I learned to rely more on my Savior. I learned that I could not covert anyone. The only way conversion happens is when a person has a direct experience with God. God has to do the converting. That is one of the unique messages of Mormonism. We are simply the messengers.. but the only way someone will truly believe is if God tells them it is true by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Yes we had to answer questions, and teach the doctrine, but none of it mattered unless the individual was willing to ask God about it for themselves.

If you could prove the Bible was true by simple scientific knowledge then most all scientists would be Bible believers today. Going one step more, if you could prove that your interpretation of the Bible was the correct interpretation by empirical evidence then most people would be a part of your own faith.

However, that is not the case.. the only way to "prove" the Bible, or any interpretation of it is with a direct answer from God. (James 1:5)

Also, God is not interested in just converting our minds, He is interested in converting and writing His Law in the fleshy tables of our hearts (1 Cor. 3:3). So faith is a required ingredient in the recipe of becoming born again. (Hebrews 1:1 and 6)

So missionaries just give the message and simply ask you to pray about it. We believe God will answer your prayer in a way that is personal to you and recognizable to you by the power of the Holy Ghost.

That answer might come as a warm feeling in your heart and pure knowledge in your mind so you just simply know it's true. It might come as an audible voice from God. It might come as a vision. Any of these are possible, but most people simply experience the "still small voice" spoken of in the scriptures. (1 Kings 19:12)

However the answer comes to you, it will be clear and recognizable. And once you know.. you know. Then you need to take action. The actions are simple: Repent, be Baptized by one who is worthy and has the authority to do so, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end.

I testify that I have had my answer from God. I hope you will listen to the message of our missionaries so you can pray to God to find out if it's true for yourself.

My hope comes from the joy the message of the restoration has given me. I want to share it with you.

Jesus really is the Christ. He is the Savior. He loves you and He died for you. He is still talking to us today and giving more revelation. He has restored his church through prophets and apostles that are ministering today.

Healing is happening, families are being sealed together forever, new scripture and revelation has been canonized, the lame are walking, the sick are being healed, and the blind are receiving their sight.

I invite you to click on the link below and make an appointment with the missionaries to find out our message. If you will pray sincerely about our message I promise God will answer your prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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