Marriage, President Obama, and Mormon Beliefs
In the aftermath of North Carolina's overwhelming vote in favor of traditional marriage, President Obama has just announced that he is in favor of gay marriage, for the obvious purpose of acquiring votes. Following is an official proclamation from the Mormon church, giving the traditional definition of marriage, which accurately reflects the views of the majority of Americans. It includes a warning to society of the dire consequences of perverting those traditional institutions which stabilize our civilization.We warn that individuals who violate covenants 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.
~Gordon B. Hinckley
The Family
A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
We, the First Presidency
and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman 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 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.
In the pre-mortal realm, spirit sons and
daughters knew and worshiped 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. 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.
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.
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” (Psalm
127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and
righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach
them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be
law-abiding citizens wherever 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 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.
We warn that individuals who violate covenants
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. Hinckley as part of his message at
the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
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