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.
Copyright 1997
Intellectual Reserve. All rights reserved.
Available from Church Distribution, item
35571. |