Family

On September 23, 1995, President Gordon B. Hinckley, the

15th President of the Church, read the following proclamation

in a general Relief Society meeting. This inspired proclamation,

titled “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” has

become the Church’s definitive statement on the family:

“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” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

See also Family Home Evening; Marriage; Temples