I'll probably get crucified for this, but so be it...

Two days ago, I saw a picture of our copy of "The Family, A Proclamation to the world" and I got to thinking. . .

"Sweety," I told my husband who was nearby, "I thought it was so strange when we were all given a copy of this document years ago and told to put it up in our homes. It outlined the simple, basic structure of a family, and, to me, it spelled out the obvious -- that a family is ordained of God, and it is intended to be made up of a man and a woman, rearing children in all fidelity. To me, it was an obvious truth that need not be written down and framed up on our wall. At the time, to say that a family is meant to be one man and one woman rearing children was as obvious as stating that the grass is green and the sky is blue. It went without saying." Then I told my husband. "Fast forward a few years later to where we are now, and very quickly it has become taboo and highly frowned upon to state such a thing. Something that was accepted and was as normal as breathing has become a huge heated and political debate even. It has gotten so crazy so fast. And, it turns out, we actually need that document to outline the basic family unit after all!"

We ended our conversation, and I went back to pointlessly cleaning a house that will only be messed instantly by my five crazy children, forgetting all about it ...until the next day when I was listening to general conference, and my mind was blown.

One of the apostles actually talked about this exact thing during his talk. Only he was able to give the backstory, explaining that years ago the apostles and prophet felt the strong prompting to write the document now known as "The Family, a Proclamation to the World." They felt impressed that the document should outline the Lord's will for the structure of families on the earth, that being a mother and a father raising children together in all fidelity.

He went on to explain that as an apostle, he felt much like I did -- that stating the basic outline of a family in such a way was an unnecessary task in pointing out the obvious. But they were obedient to the prompting and spent a year honing and refining the document before sending it out to our church for the members to read and have up in their homes.

Now, the apostle said, with so much confusion and the ultimate breakdown of the traditional family that has been time-tested and proven to enrich the lives of children and parents, he sees the need for the sacred work that was written and put out years before this very abrupt and swift change in our culture's shift in what is acceptable as a family structure.

I really feel the Lord put this in my mind the day before, so I would listen and really take this apostles words to heart.
I like to be liked, but I like to speak the truth more. I know it is a hot-button topic, but I know that when we stand with the Lord, even if it means going against popular opinion, we cannot be moved. So here it goes -- I know that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Children should be given the opportunity to have a loving father and mother to raise, love, and support them. A father can not be replaced by a woman, and a mom cannot be replaced by a man.

As was stated in LDS conference: "Truth mandates our highest allegiance, though it should never be a barrier to kindness."

Love those with differing viewpoints, but never bow to them. Bowing to things that oppose truth hurts everyone. If the whole world calls darkness light and light darkness, it doesn't make it so.

I stand by this document. Now, and always. No matter what popular culture may be saying at the time.

THE FAMILY

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A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD

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

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 worshipped 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 their divine destiny as heirs 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” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and 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.