Drawing Inspiration from the Proclamation and Sharing and Defending its Principles

“We call upon responsible citizens… everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

Chapter 34 in the book Successful Marriages and Families, by Alan J. Hawkins, David C. Dollahite, and Thomas W. Draper, states that “every family of the earth is in need of the vital blessings that come from living proclamation principles” and that a belief in these principles “should motivate us not only to apply true principles to protect our own families, but it should also move us to share these principles with others”. This text also quotes Joseph Smith when he said that as we gain a witness of the truth, we will not be “content with blessing [our] family alone, but [range] through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race”. Sharing our knowledge of these principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ fulfills our duty as a “responsible citizen” and a disciple of Christ “to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society” as the Proclamation states.

The Church was a great example of sharing Proclamation principles to the world when California ruled that same-sex marriage was legal. They became participants in sponsoring Proposition 8 that would amend that ruling and guarantee that only marriage between a man and a woman would be legal. It was our Church’s responsibility to promote Proposition 8 because as members, we are the messengers of the word of God and know the truthfulness of the Gospel. It’s our duty to share the knowledge we have and to do all we can to protect the sanctity of marriage. We know the family is central to Heavenly Father’s plan and that only marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. Proposition 8 was all about protecting and preserving traditional marriage and strengthening families, giving members of our Church the opportunity to stand up for everything they believe in.

President Boyd K. Packer said, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World… is scripture-like in its power… Read the proclamation… and you’ll find answers there. And the answers that are there are the answers of the Church”.

I have seen the truth to this as I have written these posts about the family unit and everything within. There is so much depth to these Proclamation principles that reaches deep down into every aspect of my life. There are answers and solutions within for every struggle that a family may face, and these answers come from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are so fortunate to have a Prophet on the earth to lead, guide, and direct us during our life’s journey. A prophet has brought us to know the knowledge of the proclamation principles through direct revelation from God. Like President Packer stated, it is scripture. It holds powerful truth. The practice of living its principles brings eternal happiness and joy. It is the word of God on the earth. It is my duty- and yours- to share the knowledge we have gained from its teachings to the world around us.

This decoration I made for my home shows the prophets from Joseph Smith to Thomas S. Monson. It reminds my family and I to search out the words of the prophets and follow them. By doing so, we will be blessed for our obedience and be led on the path to eternal life.

*This post is all in reference to Chapters 33 and 34 of Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, by Alan J. Hawkins, David C. Dollahite, and Thomas W. Draper (2012).