Lessons of 2025
Lesson No. Thirty-Seven

The Family - A Proclamation to the World in 1995 and in 2025

The Family – A Proclamation to the World, also known as the Family Proclamation (I use both terms interchangeably), was Issued 30 years ago on September 23, 1995. Generally, declarations and statements are directed at Latter-day Saints, while proclamations are meant to reach beyond Church membership, proclamations are directed to the world.

Beginnings. Describing the few years preceding the Family Proclamation Elder M. Russell Ballard explained: “Various world conferences were held dealing either directly or indirectly with the family. In the midst of all that was stirring on this subject in the world, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles could see the importance of declaring to the world the revealed, true role of the family in the eternal plan of God” (The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood, BYU Devotional).

The process of how the Family Proclamation came to be. “One day in 1994, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spent a day in their council room in the Salt Lake Temple discussing issues surrounding the family. They considered everything from the increasingly ubiquitous nature of pornography to potential anti-family legislation of various kinds. This was not a new discussion, but that day the entire agenda revolved around this one vital topic. ‘The Twelve reviewed both doctrine and policies, considering those things that could not be changed — doctrine — and those things that possibly could be — policies. They discussed issues they saw coming, including an intensified societal push for gay marriage and transgender rights. ‘But that was not the end of what we saw,’ Elder Nelson explained. ‘We could see the efforts of various communities to do away with all standards and limitations on sexual activity. We saw the confusion of genders. We could see it all coming.’ “This extended discussion, along with others over a period of time, led to the conclusion that the Twelve should prepare a document, perhaps even a proclamation, outlining the Church’s stand on the family to present to the First Presidency for consideration” (Sheri Dew, "Insights from a Prophet's Life: Russell M. Nelson).

To move the Proclamation forward a committee consisting of Elders James E. Faust, Russell M. Nelson and Dallin H. Oaks prepared a draft. “Their work, for which Elder Nelson was the principal draftsman, was completed over the Christmas holidays. After being approved by the Quorum of the Twelve, the draft was submitted to the First Presidency on Jan. 9, 1995, and warmly received.” (Richard E. Turley Jr, In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks).

It was decided to present the Family Proclamation to the world at a General Relief Society meeting. The First Presidency consisting of Presidents Hinckley, Monson, and Faust with Elder Oaks present met with the General Relief Society Presidency on September 20, 1995. It has been reported that it was at that meeting that President Hinckley decided to read the Family Proclamation at the General Relief Society meeting to be held Saturday evening September 23, 1995 in connection with October 1995 General Conference.

President Hinckley’s presentation of the Family Proclamation. Before reading the Family Proclamation, President Hinckley gave a most remarkable sermon entitled “Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World”. (Please read the entire sermon, link is provided) In 1995 President Hinckley spoke to the women of the Church about the situation of the world. Some of what he said follows (I have bolded President Hinckley’s comments; my observations are italicized). You may agree or disagree with my thoughts, but please think about this and come to your own conclusions.

“I believe this is the best season for women in all the history of the world. In opportunities for education, for the training of your hands and minds, there has never before been a time when doors were so widely opened to you as they are today.” The opportunities for women today are far greater than what they were in 1995. In many way, women of all ages, both in and out of the Church, excel men in many fields of endeavor. In addition they often assume greater responsibility in the home and family.

“But neither has there been a time, at least in recent history, when you have been confronted with more challenging problems. I need not remind you that the world we are in is a world of turmoil, of shifting values. Shrill voices call out for one thing or another in betrayal of time-tested standards of behavior. The moral moorings of our society have been badly shaken. So many of the youth of the world, and likewise so many of their elders, listen only to the seductive voice of self-gratification. You single young women face tremendous challenges, and we know it is not easy for you. I cannot say enough of appreciation for your determination to live by the standards of the Church, to walk with the strength of virtue, to keep your minds above the slough of filth which seems to be moving like a flood across the world. Thank you for knowing there is a better way. Thank you for the will to say no. Thank you for the strength to deny temptation and look beyond and above to the shining light of your eternal potential.” For many who have lived in both 1995 and in 2025 the problems of society President Hinckley points out are even greater today. Many things the Family Proclamation addresses are more front and center in society today than in 1995.

“How bitter are the fruits of casting aside standards of virtue. The statistics are appalling. More than one-fourth (25%) of all children born in the United States are born out of wedlock, and the situation grows more serious. (Today it is 40%); Of the teens who give birth, 46 percent will go on welfare within four years (Today it is 50%); of unmarried teens who give birth, 73 percent will be on welfare within four years.” (Today it is 75%)

“There are those who would have us believe in the validity of what they choose to call same-sex marriage. Our hearts reach out to those who struggle with feelings of affinity for the same gender. We remember you before the Lord, we sympathize with you, we regard you as our brothers and our sisters. However, we cannot condone immoral practices on your part any more than we can condone immoral practices on the part of others.” This will not change.

“Encourage your children to read more and watch television less. ‘A study by the American Psychological Association figures that the typical child, watching 27 hours of TV a week, will view 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence from age 3 to age 12.’” In 1995 the problem President Hinckley points out was the hours young people spent watching TV. Today many young people spend a majority of their waking time on the internet and social media. This is far many times more dangerous than watching TV was in 1995.

“With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, with so much of deception concerning standards and values, with so much of allurement and enticement to take on the slow stain of the world, we have felt to warn and forewarn. In furtherance of this we of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles now issue a proclamation to the Church and to the world as a declaration and reaffirmation of standards, doctrines, and practices relative to the family which the prophets, seers, and revelators of this church have repeatedly stated throughout its history”. The need to warn and forewarn is greater now than ever before.

I testify that our highest calling and greatest responsibility is to be in a successful marriage and to raise productive children. This applies to people of all nations and cultures.

I know from personal experience that “the family is ordained of God”; that “marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan”; that “happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ” (The Family Proclamation).

I testify that the teachings found in the Family Proclamation have an important relationship to the eternal marriage covenant of the temple. When a man and a woman are sealed for eternity each partner covenants to fulfill their God-given responsibilities as husbands and fathers or wives and mothers. We do that best by living the principles set forth in The Family Proclamation.

Released on September 27th. 2025.