WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of Twelve
Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a women
is ordained of God and that the family is central to the
Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS - male and female - are created in the
image of God. Each is a beloved son or daughter of Heavenly
parents, and, as such, each has a devine nature and destiny.
Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal,
mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL RELM, 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 his or her devine destiny as an heir of eternal
life. The devine 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.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and
Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and
wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to
multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further
declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of
procreation are to be employed only between man and women,
lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to
be devinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of
its importance to God's eternal plan.

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" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred
duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide
for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love
and serve one another, to observe commanments of God and
to be law-abiding citizens whereever they live. Husbands and
wives - mothers and fathers - will be held accountable before
God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man
and women is essential to His eternal plan. 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. Happiness in family life is most likely
to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the
Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are
established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer,
repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work,
and wholesome recreational activities. By devine design,
fathers are to preside over their families in love and right-
eousness 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
responsibilites, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one
another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circum-
stances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended
families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate commandments of
chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill
family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before
God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family
will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the
calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL 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.

(This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinkley
as part of his message at the General Relief Society meeting held
September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.)