“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” is an inspired document that teaches us the nature of family, and so much more. This week’s Come Follow Me study of Section 76 of the Doctrine & Covenants, answers life’s vitally important questions: where do I come from, why am I here and where am I going?
“The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.”
Beyond the obvious, like this excerpt from paragraph 3, every paragraph of the proclamation testifies of some aspect of the plan as we learn about it in Section 76.
From paragraph 1: “… the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”
And paragraph 2: “… Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.”
Also from Paragraph 3: “In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.”
Paragraph 6 teaches one of the things we will account for at judgement: “… Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”
What a blessing to have such a succinct document that teaches so many important truths, in concert with modern and ancient scripture. For relevant scriptural cross references visit our website at www.thefamilyproclamation.org