Proclamation on the Family

I have pretty definite opinions on certain subjects but am often reticent to share them because of the varied viewpoints and principles of others. Basically, I am more interested in what others think and will rarely speak my thoughts unless asked. However, with the climate of today, my passion for what I believe is right needs to be expressed. Recently, Speaker of the House Pelosi defended a move to add birth control funding to the new economic stimulus package claiming, "contraception will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government." I am horrified at the different angles and attacks the adversary uses to perpetuate the disintegration of the family.

In 1995, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a proclamation to the world warning 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." I reflect often on this closing statement and the tactics Satan uses to continually destroy the creation of families. Pelosi's contraception comment is only one of many ways that the family is being assaulted. Proposition 8 attacked the very definition of the the family, denying God's eternal plan and destiny for His children.

In spite of the varied ways that families are being ambushed, I actually believe Satan, in his cunning ways, has found a new more subtle way than using worldly political movements. Don't misunderstand me. Political ideologies are attacking families from every flank. But in the world of the church, he has found a way to infiltrate our very core: he has stopped families from even being created. Thousands of faithful single members have a strong pull toward eternal things. We want to be married, to have a family, to continue our Heavenly Father's plan, but what stops us?

Through lies, fear, and deceit, the adversary convinces us that our lives are good enough OR financially we cannot afford to be married or to have children. He uses fear to trick us into not believing the spiritual promptings we have received OR that we would fail in our divinely appointed roles OR even that "camping on the beach" (see Ether 2) is good enough. He deceives us that our worldly goals and pursuits will satisfy these "immortal longings" (Shakespeare) in each of us. I believe deep inside each of our hearts is the desire to be a wife/mother or husband/father, but Satan uses school, careers, hobbies, talents, and other good things (Elder Oaks) to distract us from what is best. Recognizing this attack is difficult because we still need to be diligent and careful in entering something as sacred as marriage. Yet, do we look beyond the mark? Are we allowing the adversary to blind us? I know so many faithful singles who have run away from marriage (before and after the ceremony) because they believed the lies, succumbed to the deceits, and allowed fear to dictate their agency (the topic of agency requires a post of its own).

Realize that I have many years of experience in the singles dating world. I myself have been a victim of these assaults in multiple ways. I know dating is difficult, frustrating, painful, and completely overwhelming at times. But I also believe in the words of Elder Holland. "To give ourselves totally to another person, as we do in marriage, is the most trusting step we take in any human relationship. It is a real act of faith--faith all of us must be willing to exercise. If we do it right, we end up sharing everything--all our hopes, all our fears, all our dreams, all our weaknesses, and all our joys--with another person." We have to keep pressing forward, being steadfast and strong in our faith, and not allow complacency or the onslaught of political ideologies destroy our eternal hope and happiness. The adversary is real and will use our weaknesses against us. But, we have to remember to Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them (2 Kings 6:16).