[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 200 (Friday, December 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S18674-S18675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to draw my colleagues' 
attention to a recent proclamation made by President Gordon B. Hinckley 
on behalf of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of 
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  I believe this proclamation to be especially timely during this 
holiday season. The holidays often afford us the opportunity to 
reestablish family bonds. I believe President Hinckley's words have 
relevance for all Americans and will help each of us reaffirm our 
commitment to the primacy of the family as the basis for strong 
communities and to the sanctity of marriage as the foundation for 
healthy families.
  I hope that the core principles expressed within this proclamation 
will continue to guide and strengthen us during this holiday season and 
into the coming year.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the proclamation be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the proclamation was ordered to be printed 
in the Record, as follows:

                      A Proclamation to the World

 (From the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of the 
              Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

     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.

       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 
     worshiped 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 
     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 

[[Page S18675]]
     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'' (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--mothers and 
     fathers--will beheld 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.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Kempthorne). The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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