Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
I asked 180 students what phrase or sentence in the Family Proclamation was meaningful to them. They could only pick one and their number one pick was "All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. " They love the truth that we are children of God. In this video, I look at some of their top selections and look for ways to fortify our families with faith.
Siege Warfare
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Never before, at least not in our generation, have the forces of evil been so blatant, so brazen, so aggressive as they are today. Things we dared not speak about in earlier times are now constantly projected into our living rooms. All sensitivity is cast aside as reporters and pundits speak with a disgusting plainness of things that can only stir curiosity and lead to evil. . . . The home is under siege. So many families are being destroyed. . . . Sisters, guard your children. They live in a world of evil. The forces are all about them.” (“Walking in the Light of the Lord,” in Ensign, Nov. 1998, pp.97-100)
Satan:
President Russell M. Nelson: “One day in 1994, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spent a day in their council room in the Salt Lake Temple discussing issues surrounding the family. They considered everything from the increasingly ubiquitous nature of pornography to potential anti-family legislation of various kinds. This was not a new discussion, but that day the entire agenda revolved around this one vital topic.
“The Twelve reviewed both doctrine and policies, considering those things that could not be changed—doctrine—and those things that possibly could be—policies. They discussed issues they saw coming, including an intensified societal push for gay marriage and transgender rights. ‘But that was not the end of what we saw,’ Elder Nelson explained.
“‘We could see the efforts of various communities to do away with all standards and limitations on sexual activity. We saw the confusion of genders. We could see it all coming.’ “This extended discussion, along with others over a period of time, led to the conclusion that the Twelve should prepare a document, perhaps even a proclamation, outlining the Church’s stand on the family to present to the First Presidency for consideration.” (Sheri Dew, Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson (2019), p. 208)
Elder Deiter F. Uchdorf: “There will always be voices telling you that you are foolish to believe that you are swans, insisting you are but ugly ducklings and that you can't expect to become anything else.
“But you know better. Because of the revealed word of a merciful God, you have seen your true reflection in the water and you have felt the eternal glory of that divine spirit within you. You are no ordinary beings, my beloved young friends all around the world. You are glorious and eternal.
“No matter your circumstances or trials in life, I urge you to remember who you are, where you came from, and where you are going — for the answers to those questions will truly provide confidence and direction for your life.” (https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2009-11-01/president-dieter-f-uchtdorf-the-reflection-in-the-water-68673)
Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf: “We are the literal spirit children of divine, immortal, and omnipotent Heavenly Parents!” "O How Great the Plan of Our God!"
"77% of 13-35-year-olds want to get married" (https://www.ypulse.com/article/2018/03/14/how-millennials-gen-z-feel-about-marriage-in-4-stats/)
"Eighty percent of 13-35-year-olds think couples should be financially stable before they get married.(https://www.ypulse.com/article/2018/03/14/how-millennials-gen-z-feel-about-marriage-in-4-stats/)
“Many young adults see marriage as “nice,” but not a priority and view their 20s as a time to focus on education, work and fun, said Brad Wilcox …
“He notes that when young adults delay marriage and starting a family, they become less likely to do either.
“And while marriage and family typically provide some direction and purpose, unmarried men especially are likely to instead “drift,” he said, adding that men and women, even in their 20s, are “markedly less happy and more likely to fall into substance abuse when they are not married.” (https://www.deseret.com/2021/10/12/22696492/young-adults-attitude-toward-marriage-is-changing-why-thats-important-american-family-survey)
Elder Neil L. Andersen: “While many governments and wellmeaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not. In the very beginning, God initiated marriage between a man and a woman—Adam and Eve. He designated the purposes of marriage to go far beyond the personal satisfaction and fulfillment of adults to, more importantly, advancing the ideal setting for children to be born, reared, and nurtured. Families are the treasure of heaven” (“Spiritual Whirlwinds,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 19).
Julie B. Beck: “Anti-Christ is antifamily. Any doctrine or principle our youth hear from the world that is antifamily is also anti-Christ. It’s that clear. If our youth cease to believe in the righteous traditions of their fathers as did the people described in Mosiah 26, if our youth don’t understand their part in the plan, they could be led away.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family?lang=eng)
Elder Boyd K. Packer: “The ultimate purpose of the adversary, who has “great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time,” is to disrupt, disturb, and destroy the home and the family.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1994/04/the-father-and-the-family?lang=eng )
“Single members of the Church — whether divorced, widowed or never married — make up more than half of the adult membership of the Church.” (https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-04-23/church-produces-infographic-support-single-latter-day-saints-211233)
President M Russell Ballard: “Let us call upon our members who are single to serve, lift and teach. Disregard old nations and ideas that have sometimes unintentionally contributed to their feelings of loneliness and that they do not belong or cannot serve.”.”(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/28ballard?lang=eng)
When President Gordon B. Hinckley first read the proclamation to the members of the Church, he said, “With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, 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.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world?lang=eng)
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson: “When President Gordon B. Hinckley first read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” 20 years ago this year, we were grateful for and valued the clarity, simplicity, and truth of this revelatory document. Little did we realize then how very desperately we would need these basic declarations in today’s world as the criteria by which we could judge each new wind of worldly dogma coming at us from the media, the Internet, scholars, TV and films, and even legislators. The proclamation on the family has become our benchmark for judging the philosophies of the world, and I testify that the principles set forth within this statement are as true today as they were when they were given to us by a prophet of God nearly 20 years ago.” (“Defenders of the Family Proclamation,” Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson General Conference, April 2015)
Teaching Thoughts:
Siege Warfare
- Blockade
- Communication
- Supplies
- Reinforcements
- The attacking force surrounds
- Constant, mostly low-intensity conflict
- Works to reduce existing fortifications
- “Use of deception or treachery to bypass defenses.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege)
President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Never before, at least not in our generation, have the forces of evil been so blatant, so brazen, so aggressive as they are today. Things we dared not speak about in earlier times are now constantly projected into our living rooms. All sensitivity is cast aside as reporters and pundits speak with a disgusting plainness of things that can only stir curiosity and lead to evil. . . . The home is under siege. So many families are being destroyed. . . . Sisters, guard your children. They live in a world of evil. The forces are all about them.” (“Walking in the Light of the Lord,” in Ensign, Nov. 1998, pp.97-100)
Satan:
- Works to block
- Communication
- ‘Spiritual’ supplies
- Reinforcements that would strengthen
- Strives to surrounds us with evil influences
- Constant, mostly low-intensity conflict
- Works to reduce existing fortifications
- “Use of deception or treachery to bypass defenses.”
President Russell M. Nelson: “One day in 1994, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spent a day in their council room in the Salt Lake Temple discussing issues surrounding the family. They considered everything from the increasingly ubiquitous nature of pornography to potential anti-family legislation of various kinds. This was not a new discussion, but that day the entire agenda revolved around this one vital topic.
“The Twelve reviewed both doctrine and policies, considering those things that could not be changed—doctrine—and those things that possibly could be—policies. They discussed issues they saw coming, including an intensified societal push for gay marriage and transgender rights. ‘But that was not the end of what we saw,’ Elder Nelson explained.
“‘We could see the efforts of various communities to do away with all standards and limitations on sexual activity. We saw the confusion of genders. We could see it all coming.’ “This extended discussion, along with others over a period of time, led to the conclusion that the Twelve should prepare a document, perhaps even a proclamation, outlining the Church’s stand on the family to present to the First Presidency for consideration.” (Sheri Dew, Insights from a Prophet’s Life: Russell M. Nelson (2019), p. 208)
Elder Deiter F. Uchdorf: “There will always be voices telling you that you are foolish to believe that you are swans, insisting you are but ugly ducklings and that you can't expect to become anything else.
“But you know better. Because of the revealed word of a merciful God, you have seen your true reflection in the water and you have felt the eternal glory of that divine spirit within you. You are no ordinary beings, my beloved young friends all around the world. You are glorious and eternal.
“No matter your circumstances or trials in life, I urge you to remember who you are, where you came from, and where you are going — for the answers to those questions will truly provide confidence and direction for your life.” (https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2009-11-01/president-dieter-f-uchtdorf-the-reflection-in-the-water-68673)
Elder Dieter F. Uchdorf: “We are the literal spirit children of divine, immortal, and omnipotent Heavenly Parents!” "O How Great the Plan of Our God!"
"77% of 13-35-year-olds want to get married" (https://www.ypulse.com/article/2018/03/14/how-millennials-gen-z-feel-about-marriage-in-4-stats/)
"Eighty percent of 13-35-year-olds think couples should be financially stable before they get married.(https://www.ypulse.com/article/2018/03/14/how-millennials-gen-z-feel-about-marriage-in-4-stats/)
“Many young adults see marriage as “nice,” but not a priority and view their 20s as a time to focus on education, work and fun, said Brad Wilcox …
“He notes that when young adults delay marriage and starting a family, they become less likely to do either.
“And while marriage and family typically provide some direction and purpose, unmarried men especially are likely to instead “drift,” he said, adding that men and women, even in their 20s, are “markedly less happy and more likely to fall into substance abuse when they are not married.” (https://www.deseret.com/2021/10/12/22696492/young-adults-attitude-toward-marriage-is-changing-why-thats-important-american-family-survey)
Elder Neil L. Andersen: “While many governments and wellmeaning individuals have redefined marriage, the Lord has not. In the very beginning, God initiated marriage between a man and a woman—Adam and Eve. He designated the purposes of marriage to go far beyond the personal satisfaction and fulfillment of adults to, more importantly, advancing the ideal setting for children to be born, reared, and nurtured. Families are the treasure of heaven” (“Spiritual Whirlwinds,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 19).
Julie B. Beck: “Anti-Christ is antifamily. Any doctrine or principle our youth hear from the world that is antifamily is also anti-Christ. It’s that clear. If our youth cease to believe in the righteous traditions of their fathers as did the people described in Mosiah 26, if our youth don’t understand their part in the plan, they could be led away.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family?lang=eng)
Elder Boyd K. Packer: “The ultimate purpose of the adversary, who has “great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time,” is to disrupt, disturb, and destroy the home and the family.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1994/04/the-father-and-the-family?lang=eng )
“Single members of the Church — whether divorced, widowed or never married — make up more than half of the adult membership of the Church.” (https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-04-23/church-produces-infographic-support-single-latter-day-saints-211233)
President M Russell Ballard: “Let us call upon our members who are single to serve, lift and teach. Disregard old nations and ideas that have sometimes unintentionally contributed to their feelings of loneliness and that they do not belong or cannot serve.”.”(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/04/28ballard?lang=eng)
When President Gordon B. Hinckley first read the proclamation to the members of the Church, he said, “With so much of sophistry that is passed off as truth, 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.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1995/10/stand-strong-against-the-wiles-of-the-world?lang=eng)
Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson: “When President Gordon B. Hinckley first read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” 20 years ago this year, we were grateful for and valued the clarity, simplicity, and truth of this revelatory document. Little did we realize then how very desperately we would need these basic declarations in today’s world as the criteria by which we could judge each new wind of worldly dogma coming at us from the media, the Internet, scholars, TV and films, and even legislators. The proclamation on the family has become our benchmark for judging the philosophies of the world, and I testify that the principles set forth within this statement are as true today as they were when they were given to us by a prophet of God nearly 20 years ago.” (“Defenders of the Family Proclamation,” Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson General Conference, April 2015)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Ask a week before class students to indicate what phrase or sentence is meaningful to them. Have them come prepared to share why it is meaningful and how it has blessed their family.
- What doctrine in the Family Proclamation can fortify your family?
- How will you fortify your family today?
- Teach the doctrine with love, clarity and sensitivity.