Saturday, May 30, 2009

His Hands Are Holding YOU



This touched me, so I thought that I would share it.





Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The 28 Principles of Liberty -Principle #4

Principle 4 "Without Religion the Government of a Free People Cannot be Maintained."

Many people today fail to realize the importance that the Founding Fathers felt religion played in the structure of the American Civilization that they hoped would emerge as the first free people of modern times. They felt that religion would be as important to us today, as it was to them then.

In 1787, the same year that the Constitution was written and approved by congress, they passed the Northwest Ordinance, which emphasized the essential need to teach religion and Morality in schools. Here is how they worded it:

"Article 3: religion, Morality, and Knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encourage."

George Washington, in his farewell address said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports... And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion...Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail to the exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government."

In order to avoid divisive religious teachings, Jefferson wrote a bill for Establishing Elementary Schools in Virginia that made religion a unifying cultural adhesive. It stated, "No religious reading, instruction, or exercise shall be prescribed or practiced inconsistent with any religious sect or denomination." So, the religious tenets in public schools would have been what was universally accepted by all faiths and fundamental in their premises.

Benjamin Franklin gave five fundamental points to be taught in the schools.
1. There is a Creator who made all things and mankind should recognize and worship Him.
2. The Creator revealed a moral code of behavior for happy living that distinguishes right from wrong.
3. The Creator will hold us accountable for how we treat each other.
4. All mankind live beyond this life.
5. In the next life mankind are judged for their conduct in this one.

The Founders often referred to these five fundamentals as the religion of America. Samuel Adams said that is group of basic beliefs constitute 'the religion of America and is the religion of all mankind." John Adams called these tenets the general principles on which the American Civilization was founded. America became great, because America was good. When America is no longer good then we can expect that the nation will cease to be great.

(The 28 Principles of Liberty are adapted from the book "The 5000 Year Leap" by W. Cleon Skousen. This article is also published at www.Myspace.com/angelsings www.LDSFreemen.com and the Cape Fair Cryer newspaper in Missouri.)

Our Memorial Day






Sunday, May 24, 2009

Cleansing the Inner Temple

So, here is what I am doing for those that want to know. You can find the three day juice cleanse here in Dr. Christopher's Book.




Instead of apple juice, this time I am using carrot juice, which is an acceptable substitute. I am using a Juiceman Juicer given to me by my friend Richard. So I am making about a quart of Carrot juice at a time so it is as fresh as possible for this cleanse.

So far, things are great, and I am not having any issues. I look forward to going to church in a couple hours. My new ward starts at 1pm now. I went to the temple yersterday morning, and that was great. I stopped by someone's house on the way to pick up my children because of an impression I had, that I still do not understand. I hope that it was the right thing to do. I had to swollow my own pride to do it, so maybe just for that reason, it was a good thing. I left a note for them since they were not home, which when I was on my way there I was pretty certain that no one was going to answer the door.

Last night I took pictures of the kids at my Brother in Law's birthday party. I will post those as a video below.



My sister Emily used my camera to take a few of the cute pics as well. :)

I should be having my personal photo shoot sometime next week, and I look forward to that as something fun to do!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

My song Charting

Hey everyone, it has been a very long time since I kept track of how my songs are tracking. Here is the highest charting my songs held formerly:


A Moment in Time
# 14 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 2 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

In Whom I Have Trusted
# 419 in Pop. Total songs: 100,934
# 88 in Contemporary Christian. Total songs: 12,493

Just a Little Girl
# 210 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 39 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

Love IS Medley
# 28 in Classical. Total songs: 28,067
# 7 in Contemporary. Total songs: 6,109

My Lord, My God
# 39 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 8 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

Only Prayers Away
# 322 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 74 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

Standing on the Outside
# 19 in Pop. Total songs: 100,934
# 1 in Contemporary Christian. Total songs: 12,493

I now have some songs that are starting to hit the charts, and as of today, this is where they are:

Though I Stumble and Fall
# 302 in Pop (highest position was 173). Total songs: 100,934
# 51 in Contemporary Christian (highest position was 32). Total songs: 12,493


The Star Spangled Banner
# 424 in Acoustic (highest position was 424). Total songs: 119,999
# 64 in Acoustic Vocals (highest position was 64). Total songs: 7,765

Daddy
# 985 in Country (highest position was 372). Total songs: 44,027
# 159 in Christian Country (highest position was 66). Total songs: 5,500

I Feel My Saviors Love
# 3,048 in World (highest position was 27). Total songs: 55,378
# 722 in World General (highest position was 4). Total songs: 14,181

Please help my songs rise in the charts by using the wiget below to listen:








Friday, May 22, 2009

Hope Ya Know, I am Having a Hard Time





More Videos remixed from my former YouTube Account








Two New Songs Recorded

They are A Capella, but they are my entry for the 'Mormon Night" at Dodgers Stadium Competition.










All the connections you need to be an Independent Artist!!



Remembering the Springfield Missouri Nationwide Tea Party

So, when my life blew up, I deleted my entire YouTube account. I have decided to go ahead and remix some things and post them again. Hope you enjoy them!



Preparing for Temple Worship





As I prepare myself to attend the temple tomorrow, I thought that I would share a few videos and thoughts.

The temple has always been a place of peace for me, literally a refuge from the storms of life and the filthiness of the world. When I enter there, time disappears, and peace fills my soul. I have had many experiences while serving others in the temple, that have helped me through many things. Now that I live in the shadows of many temples it would be a shame not to take full advantage of that blessing. In Missouri, I would attend the temple once a year due to the distance and the fact that I was home educating my children and other trust issues that I had about leaving my children with anyone.

The last time that I was at the temple was April 25th. I cannot believe that it has been that long. I was going once or twice a week, and then with moving and other things, got too distracted. I suppose that could be the very reason that I am struggling as much as I am right now, because I have not had that constant strengthening each week as I had been. While I was there, it was the first time that I felt alone. My father and brother were there with their wives, and I was single. It happened to be a day where there were a lot of other couples attending the Provo temple that day. I had mixed feelings of knowing I was where the Lord wanted me to be, but that I was without a companion, and I felt that void for the first time in a very deep way. My brother was very helpful to me, and that helped me a great deal. While we were in the Celestial room, he stated that I looked like I belonged there, that I radiated like the temple. I admit that there have been many times that I wished that I could live there and never leave. I am often reminded of a Heavenly home that waits for me when I am there, I feel connected to it at such a depth that I do not want to leave, because it feels like I am home, and additionally, I don't want to go back into the dark and dreary world. I prefer the light.












Thursday, May 21, 2009

Going Forward with Faith



This last week has probably been the hardest week for me since coming to Utah. I have had many blessings, as well as many struggles. Some very public, and others pretty personal. I have had many moments where I was not sure that I could keep pushing forward with faith, and I found myself re-questioning pretty much everything in my life.



I cannot recall the last time that I cried so much about so many things. I have tried to do it on my own, which is a mistake. I know that I need to turn to the Lord and those around me more often. It is just so hard sometimes to reach out being in a new place and not surrounded by my friends. And there have been moments where I just tried to reach out to others, and they wanted to fix everything, rather then just listen and let me feel heard by someone. I guess I am just weird like that. I prefer to find my own solutions after talking it out with someone I trust.

I have been experiencing a great deal of frustration due to my divorce being delayed. And that frustration comes from needing to be around and feel close to others, especially since I am used to having someone there, that I don't anymore. And I met someone a few weeks ago, which at first I did not think was going to be a big deal, but that was when my divorce was supposed to be final May 4th. So, now it seems that it would be the wrong thing to open up to this person with the circumstances being what they are. I am not looking to rush into a relationship that is serious, but I would like to find a best friend. Someone that I can be myself with and hang out with, go and do fun things together, and if it grew, then it did. I felt that there was the potential of being best friends with this person, and now I feel that I have to completely stay away from them.

I have another great friend back in Springfield, and I am thankful for him. I do not think that I would be making it through as much as I am if it was not for him. There are many times that I wish he was here, but at the same time, I know that we both are where we need to be.

I have met quite a few people that have been kind to me, and I am thankful for that. There seems to be a lot of people that want to be there, and I realize that what I am feeling is coming from within me. I feel alone even when I am surrounded by a crowd right now.

I have been working hard on getting back in shape and eating more healthy, but I also realize that I have been doing it for the wrong reasons, and I need to make sure that I do it just for me. I had the goal in mind of being good for someone else in the future down the road, but that is not going to motivate me for long, so I need to do it for me.



I have also had struggles with guys that seem to want only one thing, guys that were once my friends and associates, and that has been hard to face as well. I thought so much more of these individuals. I am still their friend, and I hope that they will improve their lives, but I could never be more then a friend to them. My standards are very high, and at times I feel maybe there are too unrealistically high for the world that we live in now. I have a hope that someday, I will find someone that just gets me, and also doesn't see me as the next girl to get into bed. Luckily, this type of situation has been from a distance, and not from anyone around me here in Utah.



With all these things that I am going through, and many that I have not mentioned here, I have decided that I am going to take a break from the things that I usually do, except for writing my articles and this blog, and go through another cleanse. I am going to do a physical and emotional one. This Saturday I will be going to the temple, and I am going to fast to prepare for that. And later that evening, I will start my 3 day cleanse. The last time I did it, it was wonderful. I had an increase in energy, and also my spirituality benefited, and I really need that right now. I need to get balance back in my life, because I do not have it now, that is for sure.

This final clip is from one of my favorite movies, and it is what I hope to have someday in the future.



Sunday, May 17, 2009

For Such a Time as This

Now, all I have is now
To be faithful
To be holy
And to shine
Lighting
up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God

Chorus
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this

You - Do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
But right here, right here for this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace
Repeat Chorus

Can't change what's happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus









Thursday, May 14, 2009

It's About the Climb

I chose this video for the song as well as the scene from the movie 'Spirit'. With the many different things that I am facing right now in my personal life, this really seemed to fit and I have adopted it this week as my theme song.

I have been incredibly blessed, and have had a lot of support, but there are still many choices that I have to make. Life has taught me that each choice I make today changes what my future will be tomorrow. Today I have a million options, and whatever I choose the options in front of me in the future narrow. Time is such a precious treasure that we have, and how we spend it really does determine many things. If I choose to make my children my priority, then they will remain my priority in the future. If I choose to spend my time with people that bring me down, in the future I may not be at all like I am today. Sometimes this choice can be hard, because I have moments where I would rather be around people then be completely alone. I have to look at things from the perspective of where will this take me?

As I face the road ahead, I plan to enjoy the journey and what I learn along the way. I have come to the point where I realize I will make mistakes, but, as long as I learn from them and do not repeat them, it is worth it. To gain experience in life does not always come through the good, easy, or fun things, but generally the hard ones, the ones that make you have to stretch and be more today then you were yesterday.

Stretching, or stressing, can be very painful. But, it is just growing pains. That is what I tell myself when I face things that I find uncertain and unnerving.

Many people say that I am a very patient person, but there are moments where I am not. And I often try to tell myself to ride it out, to wait for the results that come naturally, but I want to be done now, or it be over now, or somewhere else. However, if that were the case, then I would miss the best part, and that is going through it.



As I look back on my life, on the abuse during my childhood, and other severe experiences that I had, I am now thankful that they made me who I am today. I am more compassionate and understanding because I have been through my own personal hell many times through life. It is funny how when some learn about my experiences, that they are shocked that I am the way I am. They expect me to be bitter, or less of a person on the inside somehow, and that is exactly my point. If we learn from our experiences, we grow, and we can become whatever it is that we want to be regardless of the experiences that tried to trip us up along the way.


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

The 28 Principles of Liberty Principle #3 -Electing Virtuous Leaders

A wise Samuel Adams once stated “But neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and the happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man.”

Samuel further states that they need to have proven virtue and proven wisdom. One of the most quoted scriptures of that time period was Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn”.

The founders were keenly aware of the short comings of human nature. Knowing that they could not create a utopian society, they created a system that would help bring forward the most promising element of society and then be able to draft them into service. They hoped to develop a spirit of public virtue by having leaders that have a strong private virtue. It would be a new kind of freemen aristocracy or natural aristocracy, which would be open to all, but inheritable by none. Every leader would have to rise to office by merit, not by wealth or reputation of his ancestors. They firmly believed that the best of private citizens should accept major roles in the public life.

John Adams believed that we must prepare for service in politics. He said “The science of government is my duty to study, more than all other sciences; the arts of legislation and administration and negotiation ought to take place of, indeed to exclude, in a manner, all other arts. I must study politics and war, that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.”

Benjamin Franklin taught that it was important that public office was viewed as an honor rather then a position of profit. He gave the example of how there was a violent struggle to be appointed to office in Europe due to the amount of pay for the position. He felt that it was of utmost importance that service would attract men of public virtue and repeal scoundrels scrambling for a soft job. He stated that although the founders set low pay, throughout time this would change and the rulers would return to the political warfare that occurs between the governed and the governing. Those who govern always seek for their own personal benefit and have an appetite that is never satisfied.

Franklin foretold the potential of America returning to a monarchy. Not called a monarchy, of course, since the people would never allow it but rather a president that would be given monarchial powers. He stated that if given the chance, this executive power would follow the example of Pharaoh. First get all the people’s money, then all their lands, and then make them and their children servants forever.

(The 28 Principles of Liberty are adapted from the book "The 5000 Year Leap" by W. Cleon Skousen. This article is also published at www.Myspace.com/angelsings www.LDSFreemen.com and the Cape Fair Cryer newspaper in Missouri.)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

My Music Videos

Here are some videos I made to my songs awhile ago. I hope that you will enjoy them while I am busy moving today. :) Hit play and then pause it, let the video load all the way before playing again.







Thursday, May 7, 2009

Family Matters



This morning as I am preparing to take my children to school, I have been pondering the wonderful blessing that family is as well as today being the National Day of Prayer.

Knowing that our greatest blessings come from the close family relationships that we have has influenced the choices that I have made in my life. Protecting those relationships and nurturing them seems to be our greatest call.

Our time together does go by very fast, especially if we are distracted by the things of the world, and are pursuing them rather then those things that will make us truly happy, like an eternal family.

As a child, there was nothing that I wanted more then my own little family, that would last forever. And today, there are so many possible distractions, that we must consciously choose to build each other, spend time together, and let those things that are of less value go, fall by the wayside.

If it is not praiseworthy, uplifting, inspiring, I have to ask myself why I do it at all. It all goes back to the phrases good, better and best, and always seeking to choose the best.

What we choose to spend our time on today, will determine our future. That is a phrase that President Thomas S. Monson said at a recent address given to graduates at Utah Valley University that I attended. And that struck me as profound and true in that moment, and answered some personal prayers of mine. How I spend my time and who I spend it with determines future possibilities in my life. So, I have determined that I will cherish my time, and spend it with those that I want to see in my future.

President Monson also gave a three point suggestion on what to do with our lives,

1. Glance back 2. Reach out and 3. Look forward.

May we only glance back to the past long enough to learn from it, reach out to those around us and share our knowledge and talents, and look forward to our future goals, and make decisions today that will lead us to that destination.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Only Time

This post is dedicated to a special friend.



'Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives it ease, and builds a heaven in hell's despair.' - William Blake

28 Principles of Liberty Principle 2- Public Virtue

Between 1775 and 1776 there were many heated debates between the colonies on the topic of morality. These debates focused on whether or not the people were adequately virtuous and moral enough to govern themselves. Self-government, referred to as ‘republicanism’, was dependent upon a pure and unselfish people to operate successfully.

Benjamin Franklin said, ‘Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.’ George Washington also stated that the American Constitution could only survive as long as there remained virtue in the people.

What then is public virtue? It is human character and service that adheres to the golden rule. Even though the people hungered after independence, they feared that they were not good enough to make it work. By the spring of 1776, there were thousands of confident voices throughout the land proclaiming that there was enough public virtue to make the republican principles work successfully. This movement was catapulted forwarded by the writings of Thomas Paine, specifically his best seller “Common Sense.”

Many became aware of their lack of public virtue due to their non-involvement in the affairs of government. This accelerated the revolution because, as the people enjoyed a better life due to the changes that they made, they felt that they needed to hurry and cut their nation off from the corrupting influence of Britain. One American wrote, ‘Elegance, luxury and effeminacy begin to be established.’ David Ramsey declared that if Americans had not revolted ‘our frugality, industry, and simplicity of manners, would have been lost in an imitation of British extravagance, idleness and false refinements.’

Samuel Adams said, ‘The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall be both deserve and enjoy it. While, on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves.’


There is a key to preserving a virtuous nation, and our founders knew it. It is called Principle #3


(The 28 Principles of Liberty are adapted from the book "The 5000 Year Leap" by W. Cleon Skousen. This article is also published at www.Myspace.com/angelsings www.LDSFreemen.com and the Cape Fair Cryer newspaper in Missouri.)

28 Principles of Liberty Principle 1-Natural Law

Principle 1: ‘The Only Reliable Basis for Sound Government and Just Human Relations is Natural Law.’

What is Natural Law? When the Founding Fathers sought to answer this question, they turned to the writings of Marcus Tillius Cicero.
Cicero was known for his philosophy of good laws, sound government, and the long-range formula for happy human relations. He understood that all of this could only be accomplished through recognizing and identifying the rules of ‘right conduct’ based upon the laws of the Supreme Creator of the Universe. Cicero also taught that man shares with his Creator the quality of using a rational approach, or common-sense, to solve problems. Thomas Jefferson referred these ideas as ‘the laws of Nature and Nature’s God’.

Natural Law is eternal and universal; it has also been defined as ‘true law’. Natural Law cannot be altered, repealed, or abandoned. Its basic principles can be understood by the human mind, and are completely correct and morally right in their application.

The first great commandment is to love, respect, and obey the all-wise Creator. The second great commandment is to ‘Love thy neighbor as thy self’. Cicero stated that justice is impossible unless it is based upon these two commandments. In his words, “For these virtues originate in our natural inclination to love our fellow-men and this is the foundation of justice.” These virtues are the glue that holds a just society together.

According to Cicero, any legislation that is in violation of God’s Natural Law is a scourge to humanity and it is a foolish notion to believe that all laws are good laws. Some legislation, he remarked, no more deserves to be called law than the rules a band of robbers might pass in their assembly. Just as deadly poisons prescribed by ignorant and unscrupulous men cannot be considered physicians’ prescriptions; neither can legislation be called law if it violates eternal principles. Even if an entire nation were to accept ruinous regulation, the true nature of the legislation could not be altered. In short, all law should be measured against God’s Law.

The Founders, who desired a moral and virtuous society which would cultivate freedom for the individual and prosperity for the whole commonwealth, sought to build our nation based upon Natural Law because they realized this was the only way to achieve their goal.

Unalienable Rights, Unalienable Duties, Habeas Corpus, Limited Government, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Self-Preservation, Justice by Reparation, the Right to Bear Arms and No Taxation without Representation are all examples of Natural Law that can be found in the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, laws protecting the family and the institution of marriage are also based on Natural Law.

Natural Law is the foundation and framework for everything that we have come to call ‘The People’s Law’.

When reviewing legislation that is either currently being considered or is already on the law books, we must ask ourselves the following two questions: #1 “Does this violate the laws of God?” and #2 “By practicing or implementing this law, will it allow me to say; I love my neighbor as myself?”. It is true that in these two questions hang all ‘true and just’ laws.

(The 28 Principles of Liberty are adapted from the book "The 5000 Year Leap" by W. Cleon Skousen. This article is also published at www.Myspace.com/angelsings www.LDSFreemen.com and the Cape Fair Cryer newspaper in Missouri.)

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Come What May and Love It

Charity Angel's Thoughts

Charity Angel's blog about anything.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Come What May and Love It


1. Learn to Laugh
2. Seek for the Eternal
3. Understand the Principle of Compensation
4. Put our trust in Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ

I have found this talk given by Elder Wirthlin to be very touching and absolutely the truth. As I have faced the many difficulties that I have the last several years, and even more specifically, the ones that I am currently facing now, I must acknowledge the truth of these words.






Through my heartache and pain, it is through my many great friends that have helped me continue to laugh that I have been lifted out of feelings of sorrow very rapidly. Although the pain can come back over and over through disappointment and other grief, laughing does remove it once again.

Seeking for the eternal does help us keep the right perspective about what we are going through, it is but a small moment of our eternal life. There is much more left to accomplish and to develop, and if we can focus on looking forward, then we can accomplish many things, and the painful past becomes less and less painful.



I can testify that the Lord literally does compensate us for our losses. It has been my personal experience that not only am I compensated, but I am blessed beyond measure. As I have lost almost all my earthly possessions, my marriage, political goals and opportunities, completely uprooted my life, and have had to face starting over as the sole provider of my family, I must acknowledge the many that have helped the Lord compensate those losses. The blessings are increasing, and each loss I have had is being compensated for one thing at a time, in the Lord's timing. Not all things are compensated for, but I know that the Lord will provide it. For example, one day I will again be married, and I will be blessed to have that joy in my life. This is going to happen in the Lord's time, but I know that it will happen.



The final one is the most important one. We must trust in Heavenly Father and in His Son Jesus Christ. If we do not do this, the other blessings do not come as rapidly. It is by trusting in them, rather then the arm of flesh, that we are inspired to make choices and take actions that bring these blessings to us. For when we obey they Lord's commandments, those blessings must be given that are connected to them.



To all those who have touched my life for good, I thank you. You have been an instrument in the hands of God to reach the soul of one of His daughters. I appreciate you being willing to serve, and to do His work through service to others. I admit that I prefer to be the one giving to others, but I am amazed by all that everyone has done. Everything from just being a listening ear when I need it, to sharing with me of your things so that I can have a home once again. I am thankful for my family and friends, and ward members, both those I have left behind, and those I am with now. Without all of you, I am not sure that I would have been able to work through things as much as I have so far, or as fast as I have. There is still a lot more to go through, but thank you so much for aiding me on that
journey.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The family is the central unit of society. Without it, our society dies. Not only is the family needed for our culture and people to flourish, but it is also where the next generation is cultivated. I believe that it was Abraham Lincoln that said that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the nation. As we become more involved and distracted by the things of the world, or are pursuing more things rather then spending more time with our families, the side effects are becoming ever evident. The most precious of relationships are neglected, and our children are left to find their own way following new teachers, like the media and other avenues in which the philosophies of men rather then God become central to their lives.




It is my experience that when we make God the center of our home, we are better able to weather the storms that will come to us in this life. Below I have included the proclamation to the world that was given back in 1995 to all.

It is my hope that it will reach those who may not have seen it nor read it yet, that they may change the focus of their lives to more of an eternal perspective.





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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.