The Family: A Proclamation to the World
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 eternity 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 the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare that 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 teaching 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 as 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.
