My heart sank as I read the news today about the plight of a homeschooling family in California. They were homeschooling because they did not want their children being taught immoral lifestyles in a public school setting. But because of political activism, their children can no longer be taught through homeschooling methods. Why? Because they are teaching children religious beliefs. In other words, their freedom has been impinged upon. The state of California has determined that they cannot teach their children about traditional marriage nor can the parents teach against homosexuality. The reach of this state is chilling as it continues to rewrite societal standards.
Yet one need look no further than “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” to understand God’s perspective on the subject of traditional marriage and homosexuality. President Gordon B. Hinckley was the prophet for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year of 1995. He read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” at a church-wide gathering for women. It is a succinct document full of warning to today’s generation on earth. Its words are bold and unequivocally full of warning and faith.
Look at the very first paragraph!
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.
A prophet of God is solemnly declaring that God views marriage in a specific way: “between a man and a woman.” He also states that “family is central to the Creator’s plan.”
But the situation in California today is alarming, with a court forcing this family to give their children to be taught by state curriculum – a state curriculum which allows teens to use each others’ school bathrooms interchangeably and a curriculum that forcibly teaches transgender and homosexual lifestyles – starting in Kindergarten!
The Family proclamation in the next paragraph states another bold truth from God’s eyes, even if not in the world’s eyes.
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.
How far we have fallen in society to have lost these natural truths. What the prophet states so clearly now is being argued against so viciously by society. But in God’s eyes, “gender is an essential characteristic” of both before we came to earth, while we’re here, and for in the eternities!
And yet society continues to surge in the opposite direction. So why is this post the “Emergency Preparedness Tip” for the day? Because if we don’t wake up and speak up, the day will come when we won’t have any more opportunity to do so. Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.
President Hinckley was also crystal clear about the world’s sliding ways when he spoke to church members in California in 1995 a few months prior to giving the Family Proclamation.
Recovery . . . will not come about through legislative mandate. It is not likely to come about through the public schools, which some 40 years ago abandoned the teaching of moral and ethical values. If it is to happen, it will have to happen in the homes of the people, fortified by the Church.
We have made wonderful strides in many fields in this 20th century of which we have been a part. But in that field which is most fraught with consequences for the 21st century – the course of the American family – we have lost ground. There has been a perceptible and alarming unraveling.
The only possible long-term solution lies in redoubling our efforts to strengthen the families of America . . .
Is this not frightening enough to goad us to action? We are seeing the sour fruits of what he alluded to 13 years ago and 6 months prior to giving “The Family: A Proclamation to the World. He finishes with a prophetic moment and a call to action. Will we finally listen? We must get involved with our society or reap the final consequences when it is too late.
Otherwise, I fear, the future for the 21st century looks gloomy….As we face this new century, it is time we got on our knees and asked for direction, then to stand on our feet and follow it (source: Neil H. Leash in Prophetic Statements on Food Storage for Latter-day Saints)
To read the Proclamation in its entirely, click on The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
