The Proclamation: A Guide, a Banner, and a Doctrinal Summary of the Church's Emphasis on the Family

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

Prayer
Opening Song - We'll Bring the World It's Truth

Lesson - The Proclamation serves the family as a guide and beacon of light. The Proclamation was not only given to church members, but to the whole world! They even set a copy to the president of the United States! It is a very important document, because it serves as a banner for the world today.

We are going to watch the video of President Hinckley reading the Proclamation for the first time over the pulpit.

I just love hearing a prophet of God guiding us. Many people who are not members have questions about our church, and the Proclamation is a great source for us to share about our beliefs.

(source)

The Proclamation is meant to be a comfort to us, and help bring clarity to this busy world we live in. Many of our questions can be answered by reading the words from here.

The proclamation is a prophetic document, not only because it was issued by prophets but because it was ahead of its time. It warns against many of the very things that have threatened and undermined families during the last decade and calls for the priority and the emphasis families need if they are to survive in an environment that seems ever more toxic to traditional marriage and to parent-child relationships.

The proclamation’s clear and simple language stands in stark contrast to the confused and convoluted notions of a society that cannot even agree on a definition of family, let alone supply the help and support parents and families need. You are familiar with such words from the proclamation as these:

• “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God.”

• “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”

• “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.”

• “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 disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.”

And the last words of the proclamation express the simple truth that the family is “the fundamental unit of society.” Today I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s “title of liberty,” and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. As we are all part of a family, the proclamation applies to everyone. (source)

I want you guys to know that the Proclamation has helped me with some questions I was struggling with. Since, you all are in school now I debated on going to traditional school and getting a part-time job. The problem was I would be away some of the hours you would be home. When I read, The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave……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….. 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. 

These words helped me make the decision to stay at home and continue my education online, it is my season to be home and caring for you guys, and I'm sure happy it is!

Testimony

Activity - Here is a fun way to help us memorize the Proclamation. (print off for lesson)

Treat - S'mores