The Family: A Proclamation to the World
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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, re
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