Transcript The Family - LDSGospelDoctrine.net

The Family
A Proclamation to the World
President Kimball
If we live in such a way that the
considerations of eternity
press upon us, we will make
better decisions.
(Ensign, Jan 1977, p.3)
Where are you?
Question…
Much of how we view the world is shaped by
the experiences we had at home; formed
by the family we grew up around.
What lessons did you learn from your
family?
Question
The Family
Attacks on the family
Since eternal life may only be achieved through
celestial marriage, Satan does all within his
power to forbid men and women to marry.
Celibacy, living together out of wedlock,
homosexuality, adultery, abortion, and birth
control are but a few of the many methods
employed to pervert men's minds and prevent
the creation and continuance of this holy union.
In the words of President Harold B. Lee, 'Satan's
greatest threat today is to destroy the family, and
to make mockery of the law of chastity and the
sanctity of the marriage covenant.'“ (Church
News)
Proclamations to the World
Witnesses to the Book of Mormon (1829)
Twelve Apostles (1845)
Manifesto on Plural Marriage (1890, 1908)
Revelation on the Priesthood (1978)
Proclamation on the Family (1995)
Proclamation 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.
Proclamation on
the Family
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.
Proclamation on
the Family
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.
Richard G. Wilkins
United Nations
Proclamation on
the Family
Successful marriages and
families are established and
maintained on principles of faith,
prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love,
compassion, work, and wholesome recreational
activities.
President Kimball
“One day in the temple in Salt Lake City, as I walked down the long hall
preparing to go into one of the rooms to perform a marriage for a
young couple, a woman followed me . . . and with great agitation she
said, ‘Elder Kimball, do you remember me?’
Her eyes were searching and her ears were seeking to hear if I
remembered her. I was abashed. For the life of me I could not make
the connection. I was much embarrassed. I finally said, ‘I am sorry,
but I cannot remember you.’
Instead of disappointment, there was great joy that came to her face.
She was relieved. She said, ‘Oh, I am so grateful you can’t
remember me. With my husband I spent all night with you one time,
while you were trying to change our lives. We had committed sin,
and we were struggling to get rid of it. You labored all night to help
me to clear it. We have repented, and we have changed our lives
totally. I am glad you don’t remember me, because if you, one of the
apostles, cannot remember me, maybe the Savior cannot
remember my sins’” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 108).
Proclamation on
the Family
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.
President Kimball
“Our roles and assignments differ. These are
eternal differences—with women being
given many tremendous responsibilities of
motherhood and sisterhood and men
being given the tremendous
responsibilities of fatherhood and the
priesthood—but the man is not without
the woman nor the woman without the
man in the Lord (see 1 Cor.11:11).
“We do not want our LDS women to be
silent partners or limited partners in that
eternal assignment! Please be a
contributing and full partner” (“Privileges
and Responsibilities of Sisters,” Ensign,
Nov. 1978, 106).
President Kimball
“I see my own companion of fifty-two
years. Is her contribution less acceptable
before the Lord than is mine? I am
satisfied it is not.
She has walked quietly at my side, sustained me in my
responsibilities, reared and blessed our children, served
in many capacities in the Church, and spread an
unmitigated measure of cheer and goodness wherever
she has gone.
The older I grow the more I appreciate—yes, the more I
love—this little woman with whom I knelt at the altar in
the house of the Lord more than half a century ago” (“Rise to
the Stature of the Divine within You,” Ensign, Nov. 1989, 97).
Elder Eyring
For some of us, the
test in that
schoolroom of
mortality will be to want marriage and children in
this life, with all our hearts, but to have it
delayed or denied. Even such a sorrow can be
turned to blessing by a just and loving Father
and his Son, Jesus Christ.
No one who strives with full faith and heart for the
blessings of eternal life will be denied. And how
great will be the joy and how much deeper the
appreciation then after enduring in patience and
faith now.