Then he surprised all of us by saying....
"I have touched lightly on some of the serious problems which confront many of you sisters.
"With
so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of
deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement
and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to
warn and forewarn. In furtherance of this we of the First Presidency and
the Council of the Twelve Apostles now issue a proclamation to the
Church and to the world as a declaration and reaffirmation of standards,
doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets,
seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout
its history. I now take the opportunity of reading to you this
proclamation:"...
This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
After he read the Proclamation he said...
"We commend to all a careful, thoughtful, and prayerful reading of this proclamation. The strength of any nation is rooted within the walls of its homes. We urge our people everywhere to strengthen their families in conformity with these time-honored values."
I remember feeling that this was historic for all 15 leaders to proclaim a message to the world. For everyone! I also remember thinking it was so neat to have him deliver it at our RS meeting.
I have shared before that I was somewhat abashed with them saying, as the very first statement after declaring their apostolic authority...marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. At the time I felt...well, of course it is a man and a woman!
Recently, when I re-read what President Hinckley said, as an introductory preface to this Proclamation, I realized this truly is, as he said--"...a declaration and reaffirmation of standards,
doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets,
seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout
its history..."
Everything we want to know about our Church doctrine on family life and and aspects of relationships is in this document. I think it's in cement and won't be amended in the near future or even my lifetime and maybe yours also!
To me this document is akin to the 13 Articles of Faith. Easily understood. Definitive. Succinct.
I find myself reading it and pondering it and wondering how it will play out in the world's confusion. We will be confused also? Will we feel as one feminist said...."the proclamation on the family is antiquated."
My testimony is strong on Living Prophets and this Proclamation is powerful in many ways. 15 Apostles are in agreement that this is a viable document. 15 men, the General Leadership, all in agreement. That makes this more than a paper hastily written and passing it around the table for all to sign. This is what the Lord wants for us, expects of us, warns us and it is a dissolving factor of confusion on what our Church Doctrine is on Families.
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