[September 23rd] marks the 20-year anniversary of the release of an important document. In 1995, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put forth a set of principles that would help strengthen families and communities throughout the world. Those time-tested guidelines came in the form of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Virginia H. Pearce, daughter of late Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, was serving in the Church’s auxiliary leadership at the time. She shares her thoughts on the moment she heard the proclamation and her feelings today.

'I cannot help but reflect back to the first time I heard it’ 

As we mark the 20th anniversary of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” I cannot help but reflect back to the first time I heard it. Wanting to breathe oxygen into the fire of nostalgia, I even went so far as to pull down from the cloud the General Relief Society Meeting of September 23, 1995.

Oh my goodness. Click, click, and there I was again, seated in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on that soft September afternoon in the old Tabernacle, listening with multiple sets of ears — the ears of a general Church officer (I was serving at the time as the first counselor in the general Young Women presidency), the ears of a daughter, the ears of a wife and mother, the ears of a Relief Society sister and the ears of a member of the family of God.

I had meant to skim through the words of the speakers this morning, but I couldn’t help myself. Clicking on the video feed, I feasted on the meeting, from beginning to end. Sisters Jack, Okazaki and Clyde spoke movingly of Relief Society and God’s intention that we sisters “strengthen each other,” teaching that Relief Society can act as “a balm of Gilead,” a place where we can feel our Heavenly Father’s Spirit and [our] sisters’ “unfeigned love and encouragement.” Little acts of compassion from others “inspire us; they take the edges off our problems,” “particularly helping us at home.” Our Relief Society leaders reminded us all that “even in hearts and homes in apparently ideal circumstances, there are hidden heartaches and taxing challenges.”

Before I knew it, the meeting moved on to President Hinckley. And how can I not respond to the voice that all during the years of my childhood awakened me in the morning and was the steady backdrop to our chatter at the dinner table? On that evening in 1995 and even now, his voice awakens additional trust and comfort because layered onto the familial relationship is my God-given witness that he stood at that podium as a prophet.

His was a message filled with gratitude and tender emotion. He counseled, “Regardless of your circumstances, walk with faith”; “reach out in love to those in distress and need.” More than once, particularly as he read a rather lengthy letter a woman had sent to him, he had to pause with emotion. She spoke of her pain and difficulty and yet her trust in God and the promises made to her through this prophet, saying, “I have found if you cast your burden at the Savior’s feet, He will carry it for you and replace anguish with love, compassion, empathy, instruction and hope.”

President Hinckley’s words preceding the proclamation created an important context for the document that would be the capstone of the meeting and the foundation for all our discussions about family for the ensuing decades.

My faith isn’t very complicated. It centers around a clear conviction that God lives and that His purpose and the Savior’s purpose is to change us — to make us better than we are, changed enough that we can live with Them again. Little wonder that the most compelling sentence of the proclamation for me was, and still is, “Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

I heard those lines with all of my “ears” 20 years ago, and they still echo for me today. Today, however, I think more and more about the big family I belong to — the family of God. If it is to be successful, we will each need more faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and, yes, a bit of wholesome fun. Let’s work on those things for another 20 years!

Read "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

This article was originally published on MormonNewsroom.org  It is shared here with permission.

In today’s world, children--our children--are often exposed to pornography at a very young age. As parents, we need to talk with them and prepare them. They need to understand what pornography is and why they should avoid it. And they need to know we love them and they can come to us any time they have questions or concerns.

This video can help. It teaches about the dangers of pornography in an open, honest, and supportive way, and it encourages children to talk with their parents about what they are experiencing.

As we prayerfully consider how to teach and support our children, we can be guided how to help them avoid the pain and problems associated with pornography use.

My wife and I have known each other since high school, but didn’t date until much later. We had only dated a couple of weeks before we realized that we were madly in love and wanted to get married.

I was all for it! I even suggested a spontaneous, immediate wedding in Vegas. (Seriously.) Kim, however, was a bit more practical about the whole thing. She wanted to take time to plan it all out.

I felt deflated. “We’re so different,” I said. “You like to plan, while I like to be spontaneous.”
Kim’s eyes widened. “I can be spontaneous!” she said, hurriedly. “I can totally be spontaneous. You just have to tell me in advance when you want to be spontaneous, and I will write it down in my planner…”

I gave her a strange look. She was totally serious! Clearly, Kim did not understand the meaning of spontaneity.

Funny as it may seem, the more I think about this conversation the more I’ve come to realize that planning to love someone—or choosing to love someone—is actually one of the most beautiful things about love.

I’ve heard it said that real love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person.

It’s true.

When all the butterflies have fluttered away and your wedding day becomes a distant memory, you will discover that you’ve married someone who is just as imperfect as you. And they, in turn, will come to learn that you have problems, insecurities, struggles, quirks—and body odor—just as real as theirs!

Then you will realize that real love isn’t just a euphoric, spontaneous feeling—it’s a deliberate choice—a plan to love each other for better and worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health. Of course, you don’t choose who you’re attracted to, but you definitely choose who you fall in love with and (more importantly) who you stay in love with.

Read the rest of this wonderful article at SethAdamSmith.com

When children are young, moms and dads have daily opportunities to serve and teach them important truths. Vital lessons can be shared by what loving parents say and what they do. 

But as the years pass, wise parents realize that though their children are grown, and don’t need daily support, they can still benefit from the inspired example and counsel of mom or dad from time to time.

This is a story of a dad setting a wonderful example of love, service and prayer for his young sons, even when it wasn’t convenient. It’s a great reminder not to let worthwhile activities distract us from the things that matter most, that our highest priority is to lovingly live, and teach, gospel principles in our homes.

In my family, all our children left home by the time they were seventeen or eighteen. When our oldest left for BYU at age seventeen, my wise husband began the tradition of writing her a weekly email. Each Sunday he took time to send a message full of great love, fun family news, expressions of respect and appreciation, and occasional inspired counsel. Over the years he has continued this tradition with each of our children. He prayerfully seeks inspiration and guidance for what he can say that will help them. And the Lord has blessed our children and family because of my husband’s faith, love and diligence.

Each of us can create inspired opportunities to love and teach our children, growing and grown. As we seek the Lord’s help, our loving, inspired service and counsel can be a guiding influence and powerful blessing for those we love.

"A successful parent should never be too busy to capture a moment in a child's life 
when an important lesson can be taught."  ~Elder L. Tom Perry

SALT LAKE CITY —  Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at home Friday, July 3, 2015, at about 2 p.m. MDT from causes incident to age. He was 90 years old.

“He was truly an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he represented the Savior of the world,” said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 

President Packer was serving as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time of his passing, a position he held since February 3, 2008. Prior to that, he served as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve since June 5, 1994. He was ordained an apostle on April 9, 1970, and served for over 50 years as one of the Church's general authorities.

For decades, President Packer declared the gospel of Jesus Christ and played a critical role in the growth and development of the global Church, which now numbers more than 15 million members.

"The lessons that he's taught are long in the hearts of people and in their minds," said Elder Allan Packer, President Packer’s son and a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.

President Packer served on a committee with other Church leaders and scriptural scholars that produced new editions of the LDS scriptures in 1979 and 1981. The new editions featured study aids and formats that would significantly improve Church members’ ability to study the scriptures. Of the project, President Packer said, “With the passing of years, these scriptures will produce successive generations of faithful Christians who know the Lord Jesus Christ and are disposed to obey His will.” He continued, “These references from the four volumes of scripture constitute the most comprehensive compilation of scriptural information on the mission and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that has ever been assembled in the history of the world.”

“President Packer always felt that if we could read the words of the Lord we would be far better off and much safer than speculating with our own ideas," Elder Ballard said. "It was not unusual for him to say, ‘Brethren, let me read to you.’ And then he would turn to a very important scripture in the standard works and let us listen to what the Lord had to say. And we all learned at his feet.”

At the Church's April 2014 general conference, President Packer declared, "After all the years that I have lived and taught and served, after the millions of miles I have traveled around the world, with all that I have experienced, there is one great truth that I would share. That is my witness of the Savior Jesus Christ.”

President Packer was born September 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah. He was a United States bomber pilot during World War II in the Pacific Theater. An educator by profession, President Packer’s career included service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church and as a member of the administrative council of Brigham Young University.

President Packer studied at Weber Junior College and subsequently received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Utah State University. He received a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University.

He was well respected by Church members as a master teacher of the principles of the gospel. “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior,” he taught.

President Packer was also known as a fearless defender of the gospel of Jesus Christ and spoke boldly about the teachings and doctrine of the Church. “He had a deep testimony of the gospel, an inherent love of the Savior, of the people themselves, and wanted to share with them that which was important,” Elder Allan Packer said. “So I think he, when he knew those things, felt a responsibility to communicate and to share and to teach.”

He authored many books during his lifetime and was also an accomplished artist.

Despite the heavy load of his Church positions, family was the priority for President Packer. His son Allan recently said his father made himself available in the home to take advantage of every opportunity to teach. “He’s still a father, and that’s his number-one priority.” He is survived by his wife, Donna, and their 10 children.

The Church will announce details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available. It is undetermined when the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be filled.

Learn more about his service and ministry:
MormonNewsroom.org.
LDS.org
Church News
DeseretNews.com

This news release was originally published on MormonNewsroom.org. It is republished here with permission.

Hope you enjoy this breathtakingly beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace performed by renowned violinist, Jenny Oaks Baker, accompanied by former United States Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

Jenny shared Amazing Grace "in honor of Independence Day" with the following message:

"How grateful I am for those in the military past and present who have helped preserve our God-given freedoms!"

To help support our wounded warriors, click here to purchase Amazing Grace on iTunes. 
All proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Click Here to Learn the Story Behind the Video

Full introductory letter and statement below:

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTSOFFICE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY47 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE STREET, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84150-1200

June 29, 2015

TO: General Authorities; General Auxiliary Presidencies; and the following leaders in the United States and Canada: Area Seventies; Temple, Stake Mission and District Presidencies; Bishops and Branch Presidents

Dear Brethren and Sisters:

Enclosed is a statement by the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve in response to the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. The statement also pertains to the situation in Canada. Local leaders are asked to meet with all adults, young men, and young women on either July 5 or July 12 in a setting other than sacrament meeting and read to them the entire statement.

Also included is background material which may be helpful in answering questions that arise.

Stake presidents are asked to see that bishops receive copies of this letter and the enclosures.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas S. Monson

Henry B. Eyring

Dieter F. Uchtdorf


 RESPONSE TO THE SUPREME COURT DECISION LEGALIZING SAME‐SEX MARRIAGE IN THE UNITED STATES


June 29, 2015  

Because of the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court and similar legal proceedings and legislative actions in a number of countries that have given civil recognition to same‐sex marriage relationships, the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints restates and reaffirms the doctrinal foundation of Church teachings on morality, marriage, and the family. As we do, we encourage all to consider these teachings in the context of the Plan of Salvation and our Heavenly Father’s purposes in creating the earth and providing for our mortal birth and experience here as His children.

Marriage between a man and a woman was instituted by God and is central to His plan for His children and for the well‐being of society. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:27‐28). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Strong families, guided by a loving mother and father, serve as the fundamental institution for nurturing children, instilling faith, and transmitting to future generations the moral strengths and values that are important to civilization and vital to eternal salvation.

A family built on marriage of a man and a woman is the best setting for God’s plan of happiness to thrive. That is why communities and nations generally have encouraged and protected marriage between a man and a woman, and the family that results from their union, as privileged institutions. Sexual relations outside of such a marriage are contrary to the laws of God pertaining to morality.

Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We invite all to review and understand the doctrine contained in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”

Consistent with our fundamental beliefs, Church officers will not employ their ecclesiastical authority to perform marriages between two people of the same sex, and the Church does not permit its meetinghouses or other properties to be used for ceremonies, receptions, or other activities associated with same‐sex marriages. Nevertheless, all visitors are welcome to our chapels and premises so long as they respect our standards of conduct while there.

The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to love and treat all people with kindness and civility—even when we disagree. We affirm that those who avail themselves of laws or court rulings authorizing same‐sex marriage should not be treated disrespectfully. Indeed, the Church has advocated for rights of same‐sex couples in matters of hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment, and probate, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.

The Church insists on its leaders’ and members’ right to express and advocate religious convictions on marriage, family, and morality free from retaliation or retribution. The Church is also entitled to maintain its standards of moral conduct and good standing for members.

As members of the Church, we are responsible to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to illuminate the great blessings that flow from heeding God’s commandments as well as the inevitable consequences of ignoring them. We invite all to pray that people everywhere will have their hearts softened to the truths God established in the beginning, and that wisdom will be granted to those who are called upon to decide issues critical to society’s future.

THE COUNCIL OF
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY AND
QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES
OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER‐DAY SAINTS

This news release was originally published on MormonNewsroom.org. It is republished here with permission. Click here for additional information.

I've been in and around the Young Men program for a number of years, and every year I ask the Priests who are graduating from high school to do two things:

1) Watch the following General Conference talk by Elder Sterling W. Sill. 
    (It's more powerful than reading it.) 

2) Write a letter or email to 10 of the people in their life that have provided the biggest "transfusions" into their life and tell them specifically what they have received from them.

One of the best quotes out of this talk is, "In fact, if you were to take away from me that which properly belonged to somebody else, there wouldn’t be very much of me left."

Kirt Christensen recently shared this idea in an LDS Facebook group. 
It is shared here with permission.

As I've been preparing to leave, I've reflected on my experience in York and what I have learned. The talk that came to my mind was by Elder Andersen in this last conference entitled: "The Music of the Gospel". He has a line where he says: "The dance steps of the gospel are the things we do; the music of the gospel is the joyful spiritual feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost".

I remember when I just started taking piano lessons from Jill, and we were learning some very basic Romantic piece. It was one of the hardest pieces I had ever played and the rhythm was just very difficult for me. After about two weeks of practice I had it down pat. I sat down and I played it for her perfectly. Not an accidental missed, not a note out of place. As I finished, she congratulated me and then asked me to play it with real feeling, the way it should be played. It was so magical for me, and the difference in the sound was night and day as you linger on this note a little longer and play this measure with more forte. It completely changed the way I view and appreciate music.

I think missionary work is the same way. We can follow the rules, talk to the people, teach the lessons given--and those are all necessary dance steps. But until we really feel the missionary purpose, thrill in bringing others to Christ and serving them, the motions will be forced, difficult and oftentimes not fulfilling. I have felt just a little bit of that in York so far, and it is one of the greatest blessings in my life, to begin to love the Lord's work and being in His service.

"I have experienced successes and failures. I am asked what it felt like to lose to President Obama. Well, not as good as winning. Failures aren't fun, but they are inevitable. More importantly, failures don't have to define who you are. Some people measure their life by their secular successes – how high on the corporate ladder did they get? How much money did they make? Did they do better than their high school classmate?

If that's the kind of success you're looking for, you're bound to be disappointed. Life has way too much chance and serendipity to be assured fame or fortune.

More importantly, if your life is lived for those things, yours will be a shallow and unfulfilling journey.

The real wealth in life is in your friendships, your marriage, your children, what you have learned in your work, what you have overcome, your relationship with God, and in what you have contributed to others."  ~Mitt Romney

Read the Rest: 
Governor Mitt Romney's Commencement Address at Saint Anselm College

Learn More:
Mitt Romney on Leadership: Address to Stanford Graduate School of Business Students