Defending the Proclamation

This week’s Come, Follow Me lesson focuses on the proclamation on the family given in 1995 by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The introduction to the lesson gives this powerful statement from President Oaks: “I believe our attitude toward and use of the family proclamation is [a test] for this generation. I pray for all Latter-day Saints to stand firm in that test.” Many of the principles taught in the proclamation go contrary to the prevailing beliefs in the world, even though at the time it was given that was not the case. As President Oaks further said, “It was a surprise to some who thought the doctrinal truths about marriage and the family were well understood without restatement.” What seemed self-evident at the time—like the statement that marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God—is now rejected by many in the world. The proclamation teaches not only this, but also that “gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” It also declares 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.” These statements are similarly rejected by a large number of people today, as is the corollary that “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.” The world would condemn all of these principles, but we must have the faith to believe and living according to the truths taught by living apostles and prophets.

                There is much that the world will continue to say in opposition to these principles concerning marriage and gender and chastity. Surely part of how we stand by the proclamation—to pass the test the President Oaks referred to—relates to our attitude towards these principles that are increasingly rejected by the world. More importantly, though, is how we live the gospel of Jesus Christ in our families. The proclamation declares this: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” We can show our commitment to the proclamation as we seek to live as the Savior would have us live in our families. This is the list of those teaching of Jesus Christ that we should apply to our families: “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.” This is a set of Christlike attributes and attitudes worthy of a lifetime of practice as we seek to implement them in our families. And so, as King Benjamin put it, “If you believe all these things see that ye do them” (Mosiah 4:10). Each day is another opportunity for us to support the family proclamation by doing as we strive to show forgiveness and respect, love and compassion towards our family members. We must consistently seek to make our home one of faith and prayer, where studying the gospel is common and praying is frequent. As we repent in our families, work hard together, and spend time in wholesome recreational activities, we are living the teachings of the Savior and defending this proclamation through the example we set. We need not combat others over public policy to defend these words of modern prophets; rather, we need only be “more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always” as we seek to follow the teachings of the Savior in our own family (Doctrine and Covenants 93:50).