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 beingsmale and
femaleare 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 wivesmothers and fatherswill 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
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