LDS Teachings on Marriage and Family: An Overview
Explore the foundational principles of marriage and family in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, guided by 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World' and the concept of eternal families.
- Latter-day Saint teachings view marriage and family as central to God's plan for eternal happiness.
- 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World' is a key document outlining these divine principles.
- LDS temple marriages are considered eternal, allowing family relationships to continue beyond this life.
- Parents are taught to raise children in love and righteousness, fostering strong, gospel-centered homes.
Latter-day Saint (LDS) teachings emphasize marriage and family as central to God's plan for human happiness and eternal progression. These teachings are largely encapsulated in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," a foundational document issued by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1995, which outlines divine principles regarding the nature, purpose, and responsibilities of family units.
The Proclamation on the Family: Core Principles
The Proclamation on the Family, issued in 1995, serves as a declaration of fundamental doctrines concerning family life. It asserts 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. This document was created to reaffirm and clarify Church teachings amidst changing societal views.
It declares that gender is an essential characteristic of individual identity and purpose, pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal. It states that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between a man and a woman lawfully wedded as husband and wife. It also outlines the solemn responsibility of husbands and wives to multiply and replenish the earth and to rear their children in love and righteousness.
The Proclamation further emphasizes that 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. Husbands and wives are encouraged to work as equal partners, helping one another. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eternal Marriage and Family
A core LDS teaching is the concept of eternal marriage, often referred to as "sealing." Unlike civil marriages that typically last "until death do you part," LDS temple marriages are performed with the promise that the marital covenant can continue beyond mortal life into the eternities, provided the couple remains faithful to their temple vows. This sealing ordinance is performed in dedicated temples by authorized priesthood holders.
The belief in eternal families means that relationships formed on earth, particularly between spouses and between parents and children, can continue eternally. This doctrine provides comfort and motivation, guiding members to prioritize family relationships and create strong, loving homes. The ultimate purpose of eternal marriage is to enable individuals and families to return to live with God and attain exaltation.
These teachings matter deeply to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because they provide a framework for understanding human purpose, identity, and destiny. They guide daily choices regarding relationships, parenting, and personal conduct, shaping a culture that prioritizes family life, moral living, and service. For members, adhering to these principles is seen as essential for achieving lasting happiness in this life and eternal progression in the next, culminating in the opportunity to live as families forever in God's presence.
Sources
- The Family: A Proclamation to the World (1995)
