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[https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation The Family: A Proclamation to The World] was issued by the [[First Presidency]] and the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] on 23 September 1995. Since the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ in 1830, the Church has only issued five proclamations. The fact that the Church would issue a proclamation on the [http://mormonfamily.net/strong_families family] shows how important the subject is. 

Elder [[Henry B. Eyring]] stated:
:[B]ecause our Father loves his children, he will not leave us to guess about what matters most in this life concerning where our attention could bring happiness or our indifference could bring sadness. Sometimes he will tell a person such things directly, by inspiration. But he will, in addition, tell us these important matters through his servants. In the words of the [[prophet]] Amos, recorded long ago, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the [[prophets]]" [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/amos/3.7?lang=eng#6 (Amos 3:7)]. He does this so that even those who cannot feel inspiration can know, if they will only listen, that they have been told the truth and have been warned.[https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/henry-b-eyring/family/]

President [[Dallin H. Oaks]] has said:
:I testify that the proclamation on the family is a statement of eternal truth, the will of the Lord for His children who seek eternal life. It has been the basis of Church teaching and practice for the last 22 years and will continue so for the future. Consider it as such, teach it, live by it, and you will be blessed as you press forward toward eternal life.[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-plan-and-the-proclamation?lang=eng#kicker1]

The proclamation on the family is a warning from [[God]] to the entire world that we cannot let this basic unit fall apart, and that focusing on our families will bring happiness. 

President Hinckley introduced the proclamation with these words: “With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn.”[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world?lang=eng]

==  The Family: A Proclamation to the World ==

The [[First Presidency]] and [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles|Council of the Twelve Apostles]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]

[[Image:osorio-family-mormons.jpg|400px|thumb|alt=Mormon Family|right]]

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 [[Plan of Salvation|divine plan of happiness]] enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred [[ordinances]] and [[covenants]] available in [[Temple|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" [https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/ps/127.3?lang=eng#2 (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 [[Law of Chastity|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.''

* [https://thefamilyproclamation.org/ The Family Proclamation website]
* [https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/25-years-family-proclamation-un-vatican-beyond Church Newsroom, "23 September 2020 - Salt Lake City Featured Stories In 25 Years, ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’ Has Gone From UN to Vatican and Beyond"]
* [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-plan-and-the-proclamation?lang=eng#kicker1 Dallin H. Oaks, "The Plan and the Proclamation," October 2017 General Conference]


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[[Category:LDS Literature]][[Category: Plan of Salvation]][[Category: Marriage and Families]][[Category:Family History]]

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