Family Proclamation To The WorldEdit

The Family: A Proclamation to the World, issued in 1995 by the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a foundational document that presents a comprehensive, faith-based understanding of the family, marriage, and the roles of parents. It emphasizes that families are central to the divine plan for human flourishing and that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. While written as guidance for members of the church, the proclamation has also resonated in broader public debates about family life, personal responsibility, and the role of religious belief in public life. It is frequently cited in discussions about family structure, education, and public policy by those who prioritize traditional family formation as a core social good. The Family: A Proclamation to the World The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Marriage Family.

The document is presented as a doctrinal statement rather than legislation. It reflects a particular set of beliefs about the origins of marriage, the responsibilities of parents, and the long-term consequences for society when family life is strengthened or weakened. Supporters view the proclamation as a timely articulation of timeless principles that promote stability, moral formation, and civic order. Critics, by contrast, describe it as a public expression of a religious viewpoint that challenges movements toward greater social acceptance of diverse family forms. The proclamation therefore stands at the intersection of faith, family policy, and cultural conflict, with ongoing relevance to debates over religious liberty, parental rights, and the limits of religious influence in public affairs. Religious freedom Public policy Civil rights.

Historical background and purpose

Context in the 1990s

Before the proclamation, the United States and many other societies were grappling with rapid social change surrounding marriage, gender roles, and sexual identity. The 1990s saw increased visibility of LGBTQ+ rights movements, evolving family models, and questions about how families ought to be supported by public institutions and by religious communities. The proclamation was issued from the leadership of the church as a clear statement of church teaching on the nature of family life and its central role in human happiness and divine destiny. It aims to clarify the church’s position on marriage, parenting, and the care of children, and to encourage members to strengthen families in a world advancing toward broader definitions of family life. Latter-day Saints Public policy.

Purpose and scope

The proclamation addresses the divine origin and purposes of the family, defines marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman, and outlines the responsibilities of fathers and mothers in rearing children. It also highlights the sanctity of life, calls for fidelity to religious and moral principles, and emphasizes the importance of religious freedom and conscience in guiding individual and communal conduct. While addressed to the church’s members, its language and claims have been cited in broader cultural conversations about family stability, welfare, education, and the social foundations of communities. Marriage Family Abortion Religious freedom.

Core tenets and definitions

The family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children, and the family is the natural and fundamental unit of society. This framing elevates family life as foundational to both spiritual well-being and social order. Family.
Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and is essential to the plan of salvation and to the procreation and rearing of children. The document treats heterosexual marriage as the primary stable formation for childrearing and social continuity. Marriage Procreation.
Mothers and fathers have complementary roles in strengthening families and mentoring the next generation. The proclamation describes distinct but interdependent responsibilities for both parents in nurturing, teaching, and guiding children. Parenting.
Children are a blessing and should be protected; parents have a responsibility to rear them in love and to teach them to honor and live in harmony with moral principles.
Abortion is described as a grave concern within the framework of safeguarding life. Abortion.
The family’s stability is linked to a communal and cultural environment that supports faith, virtue, and responsible behavior. The proclamation calls on individuals and communities to uphold standards of conduct consistent with those aims. Moral philosophy.
Religious freedom and freedom of conscience are important protections for individuals and communities that uphold these beliefs, particularly when beliefs influence family life, education, and social policy. Religious freedom.

These points are expressed as doctrinal commitments rather than as a policy prescription for the state. They are designed to guide members’ personal lives and church teachings, while also informing how the church engages with wider society on issues of family and morality. The document’s framing has made it a touchstone in discussions about family structure, gender roles, and the rights of religious communities to advocate for their beliefs. Society Culture.

Social and political reception

Within the church, the proclamation has been taught as a canonical summary of core family doctrine, reinforcing commitments to marriage as the union of a man and a woman, parental responsibilities, and the protection of life. It has been cited in church curricula, seminars, and public discourse as a standard-bearing articulation of traditional family values. Curriculum.

In the broader public sphere, reactions have varied. Supporters argue that the proclamation articulates a prudent framework for family stability that, when enacted in family life and community policy, can contribute to lower crime, greater educational attainment, and stronger social cohesion. They contend that safeguarding religious liberty and allowing communities to promote moral norms can coexist with a pluralistic society that protects individual rights. Proponents also frame the proclamation as a defense of conscience rights in an era of rapid cultural change. Public policy Civil rights.

Critics, particularly advocates for LGBTQ+ equality and reformist educators, charge that the proclamation expresses a stance that inherently disadvantages non-traditional family models and LGBTQ+ individuals. They argue that public life should reflect a broader spectrum of family forms and sexual orientations, and that religious advocacy in public policy can impinge on equal rights. These critiques have been part of larger debates about the balance between religious liberty and anti-discrimination norms, as well as about how much religious teaching should influence public schools and government policy. The debate intensified after legal developments recognizing same-sex marriage in many jurisdictions, including key rulings such as Obergefell v. Hodges, which established a constitutional right to same-sex marriage in the United States. Obergefell v. Hodges Civil rights.

Proponents of the proclamation’s framework often point to the value of stable two-parent households, parenting engagement, and moral formation as factors associated with positive outcomes for children and communities. They acknowledge that social science offers mixed findings on causation and that many factors affect outcomes, but argue that a culture that emphasizes responsible parenting and strong family bonds can complement public efforts to reduce social problems. Critics, conversely, warn against conflating religious standards with universal public policy and highlight the importance of ensuring that families of all kinds have dignity, resources, and legal protection. Social science Public policy.

Controversies and debates

Religious liberty versus civil rights: The proclamation foregrounds religious beliefs about marriage and family. Debates arise over how those beliefs should interact with laws and public policies that recognize diverse family forms and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. Supporters argue that religious liberty should shield the church and its members from coercive changes that force them to act against conscience. Critics argue that public norms should reflect broader equality standards, potentially limiting religious exemptions in certain contexts. Religious freedom Civil rights.
The role of religion in public life: Critics contend that proclamations like this one push a particular religious worldview into the public square, shaping education policies and social programs in ways that may marginalize non-believers or adherents of other faiths. Defenders maintain that communities should be free to organize around deeply held beliefs and to foster environments—such as schools, families, and charitable organizations—that reflect those values, provided they respect the rights of others. Education policy.
Family definitions and social policy: The proclamation emphasizes the traditional definition of marriage and the centrality of the family. Debates focus on whether public policy should privilege traditional family structures or actively accommodate diverse family forms, including single-parent families, blended families, and families headed by same-sex couples. The discussion often references empirical research on child well-being, while acknowledging that causal relationships are complex and multi-factorial. Marriage Family.
Cultural and historical continuity versus social change: Supporters view the proclamation as a timeless articulation of human nature and social order that helps communities resist destabilizing changes. Critics see it as a document rooted in particular religious and cultural histories that may not translate across different societies or eras. The debate centers on how best to preserve social cohesion while allowing for legitimate change. Culture.

These debates are not merely theoretical. They shape discussions in interfaith dialogue, education norms, welfare policy, and electoral politics, as communities weigh the benefits of stable family life against the rights of individuals to live according to diverse beliefs and identities. Public debate.

Influence on culture and family life

Beyond formal doctrine, the proclamation has influenced how many people think about family life and personal responsibility. For many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it provides a clear framework for family relationships, parenting, and moral decision-making. It also informs discussions about family support programs, charitable activities, and community norms that aim to foster environments where children are raised with a sense of responsibility, service, and faith. The document’s emphasis on parental responsibilities has resonated with broader conversations about the importance of fathers and mothers taking an active, loving role in child development, and it is frequently cited in discussions about the moral foundations of education and civic life. Parenting.

The proclamation’s language and emphasis have also fed into non-church conversations about the social benefits of stable marriage and family structures. Advocates of traditional family models argue that such structures contribute to economic stability, educational achievement, and community resilience, suggesting that public policies should support families through economic security, access to quality child care, and parental leave policies that align with these values. Critics respond by insisting that social policy must be inclusive of all family forms and should not privilege one model over others; they emphasize rights, protections, and opportunities for all families, regardless of structure. Welfare policy.

Finally, the proclamation continues to be a reference point in discussions about education, youth programs, and community norms. Institutions often draw on its declarations to shape curricula, youth activities, and service projects that emphasize service, virtue, and personal accountability. The balance between respecting religious conviction and embracing pluralism remains a live issue in societies that seek both moral coherence and inclusive, rights-respecting institutions. Education Youth development.