With a cornerstone of a Christ-centered life and the foundation of a Christ-centered marriage, we can begin to talk about building the family. It is not difficult to recognize that with this cornerstone and foundation in place, the family we build will also be Christ-centered. Over the years I have taught family and parenting classes in a variety of settings. I've been tutored by some remarkable people such as Bill Oliver of the Parent-to-Parent Program and the late H. Stephen Glenn who created the program Developing Capable Young People. I've also taught classes for L.D.S. Family Services using their Strengthening Marriage and Strengthening Families materials. During the next few weeks, I will be referring to all of these on occasion.
But this morning, I'd like to begin by sharing what is to me the finest definition of the family as to both origin and purpose ~ The Family: A Proclamation to the World. [1] This proclamation was read by L.D.S. Church President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah. I wish to share a few key ideas from the proclamation without comment. I will expand on these concepts later this week. You can download a pdf printable version of the entire proclamation at the website listed below. Many families have framed the Proclamation and have it displayed in their homes, not only as a reminder, but as a mission statement for their individual families.
Selected segments taken from ~
The Family: A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
[M]arriage 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.
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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 as 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
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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.
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The Family: A Proclamation to the World © 1995 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Additional text © 2012 Gebara
Education
Picture of 1800s family from www.utas,edu.au
Pictures of 5 modern families from the following sources:
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