A Letter From Heavenly Father

This post, (FPP#1, chapter 29) is the first of twelve or more posts illuminating to the reader "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." Principles, practices and commandments that will bring joy to us in the this world and allow us, one day, to return to His presence.

I've entitled the post "A Letter From Heavenly Father." Why did I chose this heading? In Doctrine & Covenants 1: 37-38 we read, "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen." The very nature of the original of this proclamation was divine inspiration and revelation for our time.

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” has been used wisely and widely since President Gordon B. Hinckley first announced it on September 23, 1995, at the annual general Relief Society meeting. As the name suggests, it is addressed to all the world: all nations, all faiths, all families. It continues to be a light in a darkening world and a bulwark in defense of the family. Elder M. Russell Ballard called the proclamation “a clarion call to protect and strengthen families and a stern warning in a world where declining values and misplaced priorities threaten to destroy society by undermining its basic unit."

How timely, "a clarion call" from our Heavenly Father to His children here on earth. It makes me wonder if the family is so important to our Heavenly Father then it stands to reason that it should be the highest priority in our lives.

Elder Ballard continued: "I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to this great proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni’s “title of liberty,” and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. As we are all part of a family, the proclamation applies to everyone."

"The proclamation has served as a guide for individuals and families, a banner to communities and nations, and a doctrinal summary of the Church’s emphasis on the family."

"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." (The family. para. 8).

I wanted to share these sobering words as the first concepts in my blog. They clearly set forth the foundation of the proclamation, commandments from God, and the path that husband and wives need to take to gain lasting happiness.

My blog will focus on many of these concepts. It is my hope that you may reflect on our own commitment to Heavenly Father. your commitment to yourself, your spouse, and your family. And to future spouses for those who look forward to the day when they will get married. I invite you, including myself to take the time to evaluate how we doing. That we might set goals individually and as couples to draw close to our Savior Jesus Christ.

Activity: FHE Lesson 1.

References

Ballard, R. M. (2005, November). What matters most is what last longest. Ensign, 35, pp. 41-44.

Hawkins A. J.; Draper T. W.; Dollahite D. C.; BYU Studies. Successful marriages and families (Kindle Locations 11247-11257). Brigham Distributing. Kindle Edition. 2016.

The Family: A Proclamation to The World. (Nov, 1995), Ensign, 25, p. 102. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/11/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng , This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.