The Family: A Proclamation to the World
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The Family: A Proclamation to the World is a statement issued by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1995, which defined the church's official position on gender roles, human sexuality, and the family. It was first announced by church President Gordon B. Hinckley at the worldwide General Relief Society Meeting on September 23, 1995.
The proclamation may be divided into three sections, each with a list of key points:
Contents |
[edit] Assertions
- All human beings are created in God's image.
- Gender is an essential part of human identity before, during, and after life on Earth.
- "In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan..."
- "Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples [of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."
[edit] Directions
- Sex is sacred and must only take place between a married man and woman.
- Parents have a serious responsibility "to love and care for each other and for their children."
- Happiness and success come through following the teachings of Jesus and through "faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."
- "...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."
- "...fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."
[edit] Warnings
- Those who commit adultery or "abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God."
- Disintegration of the family will bring "calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets".
[edit] Status
The proclamation was signed by the three members of the First Presidency and the twelve members of the Quorum of the Twelve, and copies produced by the Church include those fifteen signatures at the bottom, emphasizing its authoritative nature. The Church teaches that each of the fifteen signatories is an apostle as well as a prophet, seer and revelator; that the First Presidency, and the Quorum of the Twelve in concert with the First Presidency when it is active, are entitled to receive direct revelation from God to lead the Church and to teach the entire world; and that their pronouncements, when moved by the Holy Spirit, have the authority of scripture.
