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.