Mr. Ferrero Rocher’s side of the family taken in 2008 at his brother’s wedding reception. There were two babies born after this was taken with another two due in March.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of a very important document, The Family: A Proclamation to the World. It was first read at the September 1995 General Relief Society Meeting by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley. Before reading it President Hinckley explained:

“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. … 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” (“Stand Strong against the Wiles of the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 99–100)

The Proclamation contains warnings against the moral decay of society. It also proclaims wonderful blessings of peace and happiness that come to families and individuals who follow the counsel therein.

One of my goals for the year is to study it, memorize it, and use it as a basis for our family home evenings. All of us want to have happy, successful families. Every family has need of improvement including, or more especially, my own (remember my word for the year of ameliorate). My hope is through focusing on the Proclamation my family will draw closer together creating more wonderful memories to share. My children are growing up so fast! The time I have to teach them is fleeting.

“The most important of the Lord’s work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes” ~Harold B. Lee ~

All of the Wordfull Wednesdays this year will be centered around the topic of “family.” Next Wednesday the topic will be “Your Family.” Every family is different. There are single parent families, families with one child or many children, families who adopt, families who provide foster care, etc. Some families like to read together, others prefer playing sports. Some families travel, others would rather stay home. Tell us about your family and what makes your family unique.

If you would like to study the Proclamation you can print one off here to read but I’ve also included the text of it at the bottom of this post.

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The Family: A Proclamation to the World

“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 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 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 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.”

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints