"Proc" post

To show my support for traditional marriage and families, I want to share a little bit about "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". We've had temple marriage and eternal families on our minds these days as California is voting on a constitutional amendment which states: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California." (If you want to learn more about Prop 8 and why I support it, please see www.preservingmarriage.org and www.protectmarriage.com.)

Introducing my family and their favorite part of the "Proc":
(A special thanks to nienie for this fabulous idea!)

Flora and Larry
a.k.a. Mom and Dad
"In the premortal 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 his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life."
Dad: Much of the world looks at God as an undefined entity that needs to be feared, worshiped and obeyed. While we should give Him all the aforementioned respect that is His due, it is also wonderful to know He is a loving Father and glorified being whom we can aspire to become like someday, who also loves us, protects us and nourishes us along that path back to Him.

“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.”
Mom: This inspired guidance allows us to understand that the roles of husbands and wives are different – yet equal. Knowing the correct principles makes it easier to “hold to the rod” and not let worldly influences or “traditions of the fathers” influence our behavior. By choosing to follow this counsel, we will be able to achieve happiness in our family life.

Beth and Stu

"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..."

Just as the family is the basic unit of society, we know that an eternal union between a man and a woman is the basic unit of God's eternal plan. We believe that the best way for children to succeed in this life and the next is to be part of an eternal family. We love the part that states "Children are entitled..." because we know that it is a right and not just a privilege for children to have both a loving father and a loving mother.

Sibling #1: Mary Anne
and Sibling #3: Holly (collaboration)
"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"

God loves us all – no matter what. The proclamation reminds us that we are part of God’s family and the people that we're around – whether or not we like them or their behavior – are loved by God as much as He loves us. This reminds us that we came from God’s family and we can model our future families after divinity.

Sibling #2: Sara and Dustin
"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."
Dustin: I love the straight-forward simplicity of this doctrine. It shows that marriage and family is not just a social custom but an essential part of our mortal experience that prepares us for our post-mortal life.

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."
Sara: With all the various philosophies and "helps" on how to strengthen your family and marriage, we can be sure we are building our families on a sure foundation with this simple direction. I can know I'm moving in the right direction if my focus is on living these principles. We CAN have strong marriages and families and they CAN be our greatest source of joy.

Sibling #4: Grant
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.”

It shows that a couple must love each other and their children. It also demonstrates that parents must rear their children with care. The family is the core of society, and if it fails, so does society.