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yosemite 2003 poetry image |
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Excerpts from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"
At our wedding, Bishop Mark E. Madsen quoted from a 1995 statement about the family by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:  "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 ... fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.
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." |