The Family: A Proclamation on Family Responsibility

The Family: A Proclamation on Family Responsibility

Each paragraph of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" focuses on an important aspect of God's plan with which the family is always at the center. The seventh paragraph is no different. This paragraph outlines how a happy family life can be established, as well as the important roles that a father and mother take on. It reads...

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman 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 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. Extended families should lend support when needed.

The third sentence outlines that children are entitled to birth within a marriage and to have both a mother and father who will be faithful to each other. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word entitled as, "having a right to certain benefits or privileges". Heavenly Father cares for his children, and surely knows what is best for them. That is why to have procreate two individuals, male and female must come together in an intimate moment. Surely the design of procreation could only be accomplished successfully within a marriage, where fidelity is established. I believe that children have a right to be born into a family, with parents who are faithful to one another, because this is where the most support and joy in life will come from. This is the best pattern to bring a child up in so that they can have an equally successful life.

The wording in this paragraph is important however. It reads that happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. It uses the word most likely because this foundation will give your family the best chances from happiness,  but it is not guaranteed. I think that the proclamation does not make a guarantee because then if it didn't work 100% of the time people would be overly critical of religion. God can help us be happy, and does through his son Jesus Christ, but it is only when we accept that help. This document can only guarantee that the Lord will do his half, but not that we will always do ours. Therefore it is most likely, instead of an emphatic 100%.

I love the list of nine things that the proclamation says a successful family should establish and maintain. You will not find communication on that list however. I believe that this is because communication can be used both positively and negatively within the family. All nine will have a positive effect on a family. Communication in general, if spoken from the mouth of a toxic person, has only a negative effect. For instance, one of the nine is prayer. Prayer helps a family to come closer together in an effort to reach God. When families pray together it shows mutual humility and respect for one another, as well as creates an environment where the spirit can enter into the hearts of each family member. This helps make families stronger and more unified. Similarly, with the spirit in the home we are able to forgive more readily. That is why forgiveness is also on the list. When we forgive in our marriages and with our family members we are able to grow together. This growth as a family unit, instead of being stagnant and dwelling with bad thoughts, can help any family move past hard times. When a family truly forgives, the bond is always stronger on the other side. The final one I want to touch on is love. When love is established and maintained in a family, success is sure to come. That is because love binds people together through anything. It is what makes family closer. 

The proclamation clearly defines certain roles that a father and mother take on. Fathers are meant to provide, preside, and protect their families. It is easy to imagine a father physically protecting his family from harm, but he can do the same spiritually. When a father remains faithful to his covenants, his priesthood has power from an almighty God. When a daughter is hurt, he can give her a priesthood blessing of healing. If a son is struggling with his testimony and knowing if God exists, a father can protect his child spiritually by guiding him to an answer he has found himself.
Mothers similarly have a role, to nurture her children. A nurturing mother would be there for her children in times of need, ready to help them, hold them, guide them, and teach them with words of kindness. A mother who understands her role of nurturing her children would be kind to them and help them reach their full potential by teaching them what that is. She would be a part of their daily lives and always there to help.

This paragraph helps make it clear the importance of the family, our roles in it, and how to make it successful. I know that this proclamation speaks the truth. It can help any family to find joy in this life, and joy in the life to come.

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