The Family
Truths from The Family Proclamation to Steady our Footing on the Path to Eternal Life
In 1995, a declaration named “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”1 was issued by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles. It reemphasizes important truths surrounding the human family: its divine establishment, sacred responsibilities, and eternal potential.
Amid seasons of darkness, confusion, doubt, shifting priorities and even priestcraft, how steadying it is to have confirmed in our minds and hearts, that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that He wants the same growth and happiness for us now that He has since before the world began!
A great many of us might have experienced or might be in the throes of one or more of these challenging seasons. Like the goodly people in Lehi’s dream, holding fast to the iron rod is a sure way to steady our footing. (See 1 Nephi 8:24.) We learn later, in 1 Nephi 11:25, that the iron rod is a representation of the word of God. May I invite you to cling to that rod, especially in these troubling seasons, when steady footing is crucial to our peace, happiness, and salvation.
While battling our personal clouds of darkness, whatever they may be, the iron rod might symbolize one or several specific principles taken directly from the family proclamation. I testify that as we hold fast to these truths, our confusion will be changed to sweet confirmation and our capacity and desire to hear and heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit will increase.
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“Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.”
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“The family is central to the Creator’s plan.”
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“All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God.”
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“Each [human being] is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, has a divine nature and destiny.”
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“Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”
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We “knew and worshipped God as [our] Eternal Father” in the premortal realm.
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“The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave.”
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“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.”
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“God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”
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“The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.”
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“The means by which mortal life is created [is] divinely appointed.”
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“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to care for each other and for their children.”
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“Children are an heritage of the Lord.”
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“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness.”
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Mothers and fathers “will be held accountable before God for the discharge of [their] obligations.”
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“The family is ordained of God.”
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“Marriage between man and woman is essential to [God’s] eternal plan.”
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“Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony.”
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“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
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“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.”
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“Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”
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“Fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.”
The family proclamation does not condemn those who find themselves struggling to meet the standard or who are born into situations far from ideal; it simply shares unchangeable truth. In much the same way our first parents, Adam and Eve were given the commandment to “be fruitful and multiply” well before they were able to follow it (see Moses 5:10–11), and disciples of Christ are commanded to be perfect (see Matthew 5:48) despite our inability to be perfected in this life; we are commanded to establish and maintain the standard of family life described therein. The righteous Judge of Israel will, at the appointed time, judge us according to our unique circumstances, including our desires and efforts. (See Alma 41:3–7.)
The penultimate paragraph documents a stringent warning, that if honestly and carefully examined, explains much of what is ailing the world today.
“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.”
May we ever be “responsible citizens” and “promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of the society.” May we ever repent of our sins and desire righteousness until the end of our days. May we steady our footing with the word of God.
Sister Francique currently serves as the first counselor in the Young Women presidency, Arima Branch, Port of Spain Trinidad Stake.