by: Norberto Betita
The family is under serious and continued attack by the
strongest cavalry of the adversary, with its unabating offensive arsenal,
determined to destroy home and family life in opposition to Heavenly Fathers
great plan of happiness.
In light with this raging battle between the cunning craftiness of the devil and his cohorts whose assaults are now taking a crack at infiltrating even the sacred boundaries of home, the Lord declared to His servants with specific clarity the safest defense and sure protection and warning. Thus, The Family: A Proclamation to the World was instituted and made part of the doctrines of the Church.
Accordingly, it declares, “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” (paragraph 1).
The proclamation declared with certainty and unbending assurance, as a reminder, the truths of our premortal identity and eternal destiny, thus:
“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. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
“IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped 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 their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.
“THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
“WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan” (paragraphs 3-5).
The ultimate goal and objective of every married couple is to create a family and to attain family happiness. Each child that comes into the marital union becomes an exclusive part of the circle. They carry with them a special bonding ingredient that helps build a happy home. They are not gifts to keep, but a charge of divine stewardship. The parents and the children then become an organized family, with its time honored role as the fundamental unit of society.
In such family organization the proclamation so states, “HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”
“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. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. 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. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed” (paragraph 6-7).
As in organizing a race, a plan and a map for the route is crucial. So it is in building and creating a happy family life; there needs to be a road map and a clear navigating instructions to follow through. The family should understand that the route will always be passing dangerous channels and hidden cliffs. Along the difficult road, however, is provided a demarcation line that signals continued safety. The family needs to be aware that they should never risk trying the danger side, but to permanently walk along the line of safety---the covenant path. If by chance they slipped to the wrong lane, they must quickly change course. The road to a happy family life is not all ease and comfort, but oftentimes it is marked with thuds and bumps. The way is generally rough and steep. There never is provided an imperial avenue in the main thoroughfare towards family happiness.
Therefore, the proclamation being an inspired guide along the dimmed route, cautions: “WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets” (paragraph 8).
We are fortunately blessed that our government “recognizes the sanctity of the family life” (Section 12, Article II) in our constitution; and also “recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.” (Section 1, Article XV). Consequently, we can easily work in harmony with the final statement that the proclamation provides:
“WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society” (paragraph 9).
The proclamation for the last week of September of every year as National Family Week Celebration, as being part of “…the policy of the government to fortify solidarity in the family and actively work for its total development;” and recognizing the “…need to call public attention and ensure nationwide awareness of the importance of the family,” (see Presidential Proclamation No. 60, series of 1992), is a clear indication of our government’s natural support to the call. It is, therefore, incumbent upon every citizen to help promote the theme of the National Family Week Celebration 2019: “Tungo sa Maginhawa, Panatag at Matatag na Pamilyang Filipino” and the measures upon which it is to be attained.
Indeed, the attainment of the universal goal of family happiness is a common responsibility of each and every member of the family with the father being in command. All must work together in unity, supporting each other in times of adversity, and ever ready to pull each other into the safe highway. The hopeful assurance of the atonement can be our source of daily strength and The Family: A Proclamation to the World is our sure steering guide along the pathway to family happiness.
I bear witness of the divinely instituted guide to family happiness---The Family: A Proclamation to the World. I testify that as we follow this heavenly instructions, we will not fail in our quest for ultimate family happiness not only in this life, but in the life to come, where families are forever.
