Church History
The Family: A Proclamation to the World


Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources: The Family: A Proclamation to the World, Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources (2020)

The Family: A Proclamation to the World, Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Historical Background

Faith and Families

President Russell M. Nelson

President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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President Russell M. Nelson

A decade ago the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, foreseeing this spiritual slide, prepared a proclamation to the world on the family. It is even more relevant today. More …

The Plan and the Proclamation

President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

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President Dallin H. Oaks

In 1995 a President of the Church and 14 other Apostles of the Lord issued these important doctrinal statements. As one of only seven of those Apostles still living, I feel obliged to share what led to the family proclamation for the information of all who consider it. More …

The Teachings of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

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President Henry B. Eyring

Since the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued a proclamation only four times. More …

The Sacred Responsibility of Parenthood

President M. Russell Ballard

President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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President M. Russell Ballard

As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, I participated in the process of drafting that inspired document. It was a remarkable experience for all of us. As we travel the world, we see things—both within the Church and outside the Church. We were troubled by much of what we were seeing. We could see the people of the world wanting to define the family in ways contrary to God’s eternal plan for the happiness of His children. More …

The Proclamation on the Family: Transcending the Cultural Confusion

Elder Bruce C. Hafen

First Quorum of the Seventy, 1996–2010

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Elder Bruce C. Hafen

“What are your greatest concerns?” a newspaper reporter asked President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) in June 1995, as he turned 85. He replied: “I am concerned about family life in the Church. We have wonderful people, but we have too many whose families are falling apart. … I think [this] is my most serious concern.” More …

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Picture of a sculpture of a family

The circle of the family emphasizes the importance of this unit in our Heavenly Parents’ plan so that “the earth might answer the end of its creation.” (D&C 49:16)

Agrippa Ndongwe, Happy Family of Six Sealed for Time and All Eternity, 1993, opal, Church History Museum.