The Proclamation to the World on the Family - The Family Is Ordained of God

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Dec 21, 2025

This discussion dives into the significance of 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World,' examining its prophetic importance today. Gender is presented as an essential characteristic of identity, while divine plans emphasize the sanctity of marriage and family. The conversation highlights the eternal nature of family bonds and the responsibilities of parents in nurturing children. Warnings about societal impacts from family disintegration resonate throughout, underscoring the need for active support in strengthening family values.

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ANECDOTE

Proposal In The Bushes

Jared Halverson recounts hiding in bushes to help orchestrate his son's temple-area proposal with family involvement.
The story illustrates family celebration and the speaker's deep personal investment in marriage and eternal families.

INSIGHT

Define Victory To Shape Priorities

Jared uses a football analogy to show how defining victory reshapes strategy and priorities.
He connects that to life's purpose: prioritizing family changes how we play the game of life.

INSIGHT

Family As Core Of God's Plan

The proclamation links premortal identity to earthly family roles, framing family as central to God's plan.
Family life is theological and preparatory, not merely sociological or economic.

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When "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" was issued in 1995, some called it a "duh document". Today, it is a subject of controversy, dismissed by some as outdated and praised by others as a powerful, prophetic anchor. This lesson breaks down the nine paragraphs of this crucial declaration, understanding why the family is central to the Creator's plan.

The Plan of God: Marriage between a man and a woman is "ordained of God" and the family is "central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children". The pre-mortal realm involved accepting God's plan to "obtain a physical body" and "gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection".

Gender is Essential: Gender (male and female) is an "essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose". All human beings are "beloved spirit son[s] or daughter[s] of heavenly parents".

Eternal Families: The divine plan of happiness enables "family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave" through "sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples".

The Divine Design and Responsibility Parenthood & Chastity: God's first commandment to Adam and Eve to "multiply and replenish the earth remains in force". The sacred powers of "procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife". We affirm the "sanctity of life".

Mothers and Fathers: 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". Mothers are primarily responsible for the "nurture of their children". Both are obligated to help one another as "equal partners".

Success Principles: "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ". Successful marriages are maintained on principles of "faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities".

The Warning and the Call: The Proclamation warns that the "disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets". It calls 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".

Call-to-Action: What is one way you can better live the principles of "equal partners" or "complete fidelity" this week? Share your commitment in the comments! If this message helped you feel the centrality of the family, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay "Unshaken" in your faith.