The Family: A Proclamation on Procreation

The Family: A Proclamation on Procreation

The Family: A Proclamation to the World uses its words carefully and for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is considered revelation. In the same way apostles of old met together after the saviors ascended into heaven to discuss the church, apostles today do the same. After prayer and deliberation, to make sure it was truly the Lords will, they released this proclamation. Not just as a standard to show the beliefs of their church, but to show the true will of God. That is why each word was chosen carefully to be as clear and simple to understand as possible. The 4th and 5th paragraphs on the proclamation discuss how God views procreation and marriage. A topic that I am sure he does not want misunderstood. It reads...

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 woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

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

 Much of what is reemphasized in these paragraphs is surely done so in loving correction. The world in 2019 as it exists is one of confusion when it comes to topics of family size, marriage, and procreative rights. Knowing this, a loving God would take every opportunity to help his children back to the path of both righteousness and happiness. That is the thing about choosing the path of righteousness, it really is what will be best for your own happiness on earth, and the happiness of those around you.

The first commandment, to multiply and replenish the earth, is reemphasized because today it is confusing to people. They argue about if we should be having children at all because it could hurt the environment, we don't have the finances, or for several other reasons. The Lord clearly states however that we should. Although it is useful for a couple to think about when to have a child, because taking care of that baby is very important, for some the conversation about children can be debilitating. Knowing that God will help makes all the difference. In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi testifies that he knows that, "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" (1 Nephi 3:7). So if God commands us to have children, then he will help us make it work.

The phrase "sacred powers of procreation" does not simply refer to sex. It refers to something higher, the creation of life itself. Of course this is a sacred power, that when employed in the right circumstances can be more beautiful and holy then simply having sex. The reason that this sacred power can only be used when their is a man and a woman is because it is God's design. Both half's are biologically needed to create life in all species. When the couple is further married, it allows that baby the best opportunity when it comes to earth. A father and a mother both provide different unique qualities and traits that the child will need to adequately grow up and be prepared for the world. In essence, the sacred powers of procreation are meant to be used in marriage because it brings the couple closer to each other and closer to God.  

The final line reads, "We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed." This line affirms that when  life is created in a natural way, it is how God intended it. He never intended there to be multiple ways to "grow children" in labs. There is so much more the creating children in a natural and holy way. 

The Proclamation, and its doctrines, are a for us mortals to look into the mind of God and understand his ways. We should be thankful for that. I know that I am, and that I can further testify to teh truthfulness of the doctrine laid so simply in these paragraphs. 

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