http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html
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=97male and female=97are 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 wor****ped
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 his or her divine
destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness
enables family relation****ps 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 im****tance 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" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their
children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and
spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to
observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens
wherever they live. Husbands and wives=97mothers and fathers=97will 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
sup****t 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.
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