In 1995, The First Presidency and the Council of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement entitled The Family: a Proclamation to the World. In it, they
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.
The Proclamation is worth reading in its entirety. I will therefore quote the rest of it in full.
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 nd 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.
It is almost no wonder why David O. McKay, a former President of the Church, said, “The most important work you will do will be within the walls of your own home” and “Only the home can compare to the temple in sacredness.”