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Family Policies

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs. . . . 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 Family: A Proclamation to the World Social Policies to Assist and Bless Families and Children Michael M. Seipel What government policies are in place to support families? Governments provide Social Security, health care, and other similar services. Corporations and employers provide pensions, health insurance, and other benefits. Churches and non-profit organizations provide spiritual guidance, counseling, food, shelter, clothing, and other necessities. What stresses do families face?  Why should we help relieve the stresses on families? Families are under a great deal of economic stress, from challenges such as the high cost of hea...
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The Sanctity of Human Life

"We affirm the sanctity of life and its importance in God's eternal plan." The Family: A Proclamation to the World Defending the Sanctity of Human Life Cynthia L. Hallen What does "sanctity of life" mean? To the public, it is used in regards to "concerns about life-related issues such as abortion on demand, birth control, capital punishment, and euthanasia" (p. 290). To Church members, it is usually focused on the topic of elective abortion. What is Life? life = body, person Emily Dickinson said, "To be alive -- is Power." Jesus Christ is "the Life." Why is Life Sacred? Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen stated, "We are created in the image of God. The union of the flesh with the spirit can bring us a fulness of joy. Teach your children to respect the sanctity of human life, to revere it and cherish it. Human life is the precious stepping-stone to eternal life, and we must jealously guard it from the mom...
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Abuse

"We warn that individuals who . . . abuse spouse or offspring . . . will one day stand accountable before God." The Family: A Proclamation to the World Understanding Abuse in Family Life Kay Bradford and Jason B. Whiting What is abuse? The Church states, "Abuse is the physical, emotional, sexual, or spiritual mistreatment of others. It may not only harm the body, but it can deeply affect the mind and spirit, destroying faith and causing confusion, doubt, mistrust, guilt, and fear." What are the types of child abuse? 1. Physical abuse This includes "observable bodily harm" and "substantial risk for injury or endangerment" (p. 251). Brigham Young stated (p. 252): "Bring up your children in the love and fear of the Lord; study their dispositions and their temperaments, and deal with them accordingly, never allowing yourself to correct them in the heat of passion; teach them to love you rather than to fear you."...
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Considering Divorce?

"Marriage between man and woman is essential to [God's] eternal plan." The Family: A Proclamation to the World Should I Keep Trying to Work it Out? Sacred and Secular Perspectives on the Crossroads of Divorce Alan J. Hawkins and Tamara A. Fackrell How does divorce effect children? "For a young child, psychologically, divorce is the equivalent of lifting a hundred-pound weight over the head. Processing all the radical and unprecedented changes - loss of a parent, loss of a home, of friends - stretches immature cognitive and emotional abilities to the absolute limit and sometimes beyond that limit." What is the spiritual counsel regarding divorce? Mark 10:6-9: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "when a marriage is dead and beyond hope of resuscitation, it is needful to have a means to end it." President James E. Faust: "Divorce can be justified only...
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Family Work

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of . . . work." The Family: A Proclamation to the World The Meanings and Blessings of Family Work Kathleen Slaugh Bahr, Kristine Manwaring, Cheri Loveless, and Erika Bailey Bahr 1. We must leave the ease of Eden to follow the Savior. "Family work provides endless opportunities to recognize and fill others' needs." It allows us to become more like Christ. 2. Prosaic (ordinary, day-to-day) work connects people and changes hearts. Alma 37:6 reads, " by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." Work is associated with many negative things. An ideal life is considered work-free. Work is often seen as mindless, menial, and even demeaning. People often complain and fight about work. But, it's when we work that we can truly become like the Savior, putting others' needs before our own. 3. Prosaic work was once the norm...
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Fathers

"Honor Thy Father": Key Principles and Practices in Fathering Sean E. Brotherson How can I become a better father? 5 Fundamental Principles of Fathering 1. To Preside In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, we read, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness." Fathers are responsible for providing spiritual guidance for their children. They should teach and counsel with them. 2. To Partner Fathers should partner with the child's mother, extended family, the child, and the community. Brotherson notes that "the quality of a father's relationship with a child's mother is perhaps the 'secret ingredient' that makes the fathering recipe work best for most men and their children" (p. 143). Strategies for mothers and fathers in working together include "maintaining a positive emotional relationship, appreciating each other, offering instruction and accepting help, ...
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Mothers

"Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." -The Family: A Proclamation to the World Mothers as Nurturers Jenet J. Erickson Why is there even a question about the importance of motherhood? In the sixties, Betty Friedan wrote a book, The Feminine Mystique , in which she questioned the value of a woman's life when she devoted herself to motherhood. She suggested that motherhood caused women to be "dangerously vulnerable to exploitation." And, she offered the idea that motherhood offered women a "half-life." The very things that set motherhood apart as noble and divine were the very things Friedan attacked, such as as selflessness, sacrifice, and devotion to family because those things do not lead to power and success for women. What do the prophets have to say about motherhood? The First Presidency: "Motherhood is near to divinity." Elder Robert D. Hales: "Motherhood is th...
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