The Proclamation to the Family

• Why is it significant that the document starts with the fact that it is the First Presidency and the Twelve that are speaking?

• It is important that it starts by saying it is these men because they are the ones who are representatives of the Lord for the whole earth. That is why it is a proclamation to the world not just the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

• In your view, why did they use the word "solemnly" in front of "proclaim"? They could have just said, "WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, proclaim..."

• The word solemnly is defined as "with deep sincerity" and "in a formal and dignified manner" the first presidency wants the world to know that this is not something to take lightly but it is through much anticipation and sacrifice that they are sincerely telling the world of the message of the family. 

• Look up the word "ordain." What does that add to your understanding?

• The definition that was intriguing to me was the one that said, "order or decree (something) officially" because I think of something that is ordained of God is now meaning decreed by God. That is so powerful to me and makes me feel like not only is God ordaining men but He is declaring that they are able to use His power. 

• In May of 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation that said, "marriage is ordained of God unto man." What is the difference in the wording between the revelation received in 1831, and the sentence in the Proclamation of 1995? Why do you think the Lord added words in the Proclamation?
• I think the Lord through prophets added wording to be clearer in this day, what we didn't know in 1995 was the harsh reality of the world we live in today. The fact that we would be dealing so heavily with Gay marriage and the issues of family values being so heavily disputed in the world. 

• Please share why you think that the family is central to God's plan?
• The family is something that is truly eternal, it was in place prior to this earth life and will be there for the next life as well. God's family is his plan he wanted his children to learn and be better so he placed choices before us so that we might be able to be worth to live in his presence again. 

• What is God's plan for the eternal destiny of his children?
• God's plan is for us to return to him and be apart of his eternal family and to find out exactly how we can be like him in every way.