The Family: A Proclamation to the World

As part of the university's required course work, all students must take FDREL 200- Family Foundations. We have spent the entire semester studying a document that was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995. It is titled, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." I believe these words to be prophetic, and the counsel found therein to be critical to be able to raise a family in an increasingly amoral world. We had the opportunity to memorize and recite this proclamation as part of our final exam, 9 paragraphs total. I passed this off in November and have thought about making a video recording myself reciting the proclamation in its entirety, but I really hate hearing myself on video, so I decided to just type it out from memory instead. The more places this document can be found on the world-wide internets the better! So, here we go:

Started typing at 12:02 p.m. with freezing cold fingers.

WE the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the 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 destiny and nature. 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 their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred covenants and ordinances 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" (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and 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, father and mothers are obligated to help one other 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 that 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.

Finished typing at 12:13 p.m. with still frozen fingers. Why is it so cold in this classroom????
There might be a few errors or punctuation differences, but the bulk of it is up there. I was kind of intimidated at the beginning of the semester upon seeing in the syllabus that we had to memorize all of that. But I took it a paragraph at a time- carrying around note cards all semester and working on it whenever I had a few minutes. Breaking it up in small chunks made it seem less daunting and in a matter of two short months I had the whole memorized without being overwhelmed or staying up late reciting it over and over.

I think my family is really cool. Each of my parent's awesome children have turned out to be responsible, independent, hard-working, contributing members of society. I attribute the success and happiness of our family to my parents and their adherence to the teachings found in this document.