The book Successful Marriages
and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives by Alan J.
Hawkins, David C. Dollahite, and Thomas W. Draper, is a wonderful book that
discusses principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints (I recommend this book to everyone!). It offers
wonderful doctrine to its readers about how one can strengthen and protect
their family. Its principles are based from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” which is addressed to all nations, faiths, and families. It “has served
as a guide for individuals and families, a banner to communities and nations,
and a doctrinal summary of the Church’s emphasis on the family” (Alan J.
Hawkins, 2012) .
I have put together and
discussed a variety of topics from this book as well as created a craft or
decoration to go along with each topic and posted them to this blog. In a world
where the family unit is under attack, I hope that this information and the
projects I have put together serve as a reminder of the principles all of us
can practice in our homes to protect our families from the evils of the world. I
know that as I have studied these things and put these principles into action
in my life, I have found more purpose to my life, strengthened my family unit,
strengthened my character, and found an increase of happiness in my life. At
the end of the Proclamation it states, “We call upon responsible citizens and
officers of government everywhere to promote those measure designed to maintain
and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society”. As a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I am responsible for sharing
the principles found within this document with those around me. I encourage all
to read the Proclamation and make it a more meaningful part of your life so
that you too can participate in the great blessings that come through the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
THE FAMILY
A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
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 worshipped 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 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” (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, 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.
I made this decoration for
my parents to hang in their home. It is a framed Family Proclamation with
pictures of my family surrounding it. It’s a great decoration to hang in the
front of their home because it shows the family we all love so much as well as
posting the proclamation up for all to see. It makes the proclamation so much
more personal when looking at the members of your family while reading it. My family brings me so much joy. I always tell myself
that God must know me really well because he placed me in a family with parents
and sisters who love me even through all my faults. He has set up a permanent
support system for me that will continue on forever.
I know that God has a purpose
for each of us and has set forth a plan for us to follow to return to him. His
plan focuses on eternal families. Eternal meaning that families can be together
forever, even after our time on earth ends. Our earthly families should be
patterned after our eternal family. After all, our goal in life is to return to
our heavenly parents and live with them and our families for eternity. If this
truly is our goal, then our earthly families need to practice eternal principles
now such as living righteously and obeying the gospel so that we can become
like our Father in Heaven and be accepted into His kingdom. Families are the
means by which we can obtain eternal life. We cannot make it alone. President
Benson said in his talk “Salvation--A Family Affair”, that we need to instill
the desire for eternal life within ourselves and our children and earnestly
seek that goal above anything else. So how do we do that? How can we reflect
the eternal perspective we feel in our hearts to our family and work together
to reach this goal? The topics I am going to discuss from the Proclamation
offer answers to these questions. I know that through prayer, individuals can
also receive answers from God regarding their family as they call upon him and
ask. Parents have the responsibility to teach these principles to their
children. The home is the perfect classroom. Rearing up our earthly family with
love and purpose, and by looking to God for guidance, families will be less
likely to stray from correct principles and together they can reach their
heavenly goal.
*This post is all in reference to Chapter 29 of Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, by Alan J. Hawkins, David C. Dollahite, and Thomas W. Draper (2012).
*This post is all in reference to Chapter 29 of Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives, by Alan J. Hawkins, David C. Dollahite, and Thomas W. Draper (2012).
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