For decades, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” has been a foundational, doctrinal declaration on God’s pattern of marriage and the family for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The bringing forth of this prophetic proclamation might even be considered a hinge point in the history of the Church. Because it was issued by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it’s a unified and prophetic statement.
In just 600 words, the family proclamation outlines what President Dallin H. Oaks declared as “the Lord’s reemphasis of the gospel truths we need to sustain us through current challenges to the family … [it] is a statement of eternal truth, the will of the Lord for His children who seek eternal life. It has been the basis of Church teaching and practice … and will continue so for the future.” (link)
The unique thing about “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” is that it is not only about declaring unchanging truths about the family, but also about understanding the role of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Why? The two are linked together by statements of eternal truth, namely 1) we believe the prophet speaks for God and that apostles are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world; and 2) their unified words in the family proclamation are truth.
That’s why throughout this website, we’re not aiming to debate the family proclamation but support it. Because it’s a statement of eternal, unchangeable truth that is the basis of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the proclamation isn’t up for debate. In other words, when it comes to eternal truth, it’s just that: eternal, unchanging truth. It’s truth because it came through the mouthpieces of God.
The family proclamation begins with a unified, stage-setting declaration: “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” This tells us who is declaring these words and by what authority they are doing so. These are prophets, seers and revelators speaking to the world about the truths of the family. Of this apostolic authority, Elder Neuenschwander of the Seventy says:
The fundamental responsibility of prophets, seers, and revelators, all of whom bear apostolic authority, is to bear certain testimony of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world. This basic call to be a special witness of His name has remained constant whenever Apostles have been on the earth. …
We sustain 15 men not only as prophets and revelators but as seers also. The presence of seers among us is not much spoken of, yet the ability to see beyond the present lends power and authority to apostolic testimony and teaching. …
Our sustaining support of prophets, seers, and revelators is not in the upraised hand alone, but more so in our courage, testimony, and faith to listen to, heed, and follow them. (link)
It’s our hope that by spending time on this site, you and your loved ones will be able to understand the importance of prophets and apostles for our day and make a stronger connection to our Heavenly Father’s teachings on the family. These 600 words are God’s blueprint for creating happy marriages and families. We hope that you’ll see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” in a new light and as a tool for helping you to have the desire to create, strengthen and heal your marriage and family.