The Family

Why is family so important to Mormons?

Our families provide a setting for much of the growth we experience in life.

In our families we love, serve, teach, and learn from each other. We share our joys and our sorrows. Family ties may bring us difficult challenges, but they also give us strength and some of our greatest happiness.

On September 23, 1995, Gordon B Hinckley read The Family: A Proclamation to the World as a guide for families.

The family is central to God’s plan for His children. It is also the central unit of society and the means for bringing children into the world where they can be loved, provided for, and taught truth and righteousness.

While we cannot choose the conditions of our birth, we can choose each day to make our families stronger and happier. It is possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

For more information, visit www.mormon.org FAQ - Family

A Proclamation

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/06/defending-the-family-in-a-troubled-world?lang=eng&query=Proclamation+definition

Why is it so important to defend the family? Because family values and principles are being attacked everywhere we look. Every time I read The Family: A Proclamation to the World, I am filled with a greater desire to do all I can to promote and proclaim the truths regarding family relations.

To the World

http://lds.org/general-conference/2000/10/the-tugs-and-pulls-of-the-world?lang=eng&query=World

Why was the Family Proclamation given to the world, and not just members of the church? In my opinion, it is because these are truths that the whole world needs to know. We are constantly pulled down by the influences of Satan. If we don't have a plan to combat his influences, we will just give into temptation, and become miserable like he is.

Marriage Between a Man and a Woman is Ordained of God

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/06/the-latter-day-saint-concept-of-marriage?lang=eng&query=marriage+ordained+God

When my husband and I got married, it was a very special day. We weren't just getting married for this life, but for eternity. We made covenants with the Lord that we would do the things that He has commanded us to do so that we can return to live in His presence. I think it's important to note that marriage is supposed to be between a man and a woman. This is the only way God's purposes can be fulfilled.

The Family is Central to the Creator's Plan for the Eternal Destiny of His Children

http://lds.org/ensign/2004/12/strengthening-the-family-the-family-is-central-to-the-creators-plan?lang=eng&query=Family+central

I can't imagine coming into this life alone. My family is very important to me. It is through the examples I have seen in my parents and my siblings that I have become the person I am today.

All Human Beings - Male and Female - Are Created in the Image of God

One of my favorite songs regarding this topic is "I Am a Child of God".

This Mormon Message portrays that everyone is a child of God. We are all God's children, and because of that, we have a purpose in life. The last verse of "I Am a Child of God" says:

I am a child of God, rich blessings are in store.
If I but learn to do His will, I'll live with Him once more.

That is what we are here on earth to do: learn to do His will. I have noticed in my own life that if I try and do things the way I want things to go, it usually doesn't turn out very well, but if I submit my will to what Heavenly Father wants me to do, I am blessed immensely for it.

Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

Why Is Gender Essential?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:“[Gender] in large measure defines who we are, why we are here upon the earth, and what we are to do and become. For divine purposes, male and female spirits are different, distinctive, and complementary. … The unique combination of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional capacities of both males and females were needed to implement the plan of happiness” (“Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan,” Liahona, June 2006, 51; Ensign,June 2006, 83).