Sister Cox challenged each sister in our Relief Society to take the time to really study the Proclamation. Read it, ponder the messages, and ask what each of us can do individually to gain a stronger testimony of these principles and how to better apply them to our individual lives and families.
In these days and times, there is no need for us to be confused about what to believe or what voices to follow. The Lord has given us clear direction and guidance through his living Prophet, apostles, and scriptures. The Proclamation is a wonderful tool and gift provided by the Lord to give us understanding and peace.
Whatever our current situation, we have each been called to be examples and defenders of the family as defined by the Lord. In her April 2015 talk at the General Women's session of conference, Sister Bonnie Oscarson spoke about the important role each of us play in "helping to build the kingdom of God by standing up boldly and being defenders of marriage, parenthood, and the home." Sister Oscarson goes on to say,
"Each of us has a part to play in the plan, and each of us is equally valued in the eyes of the Lord. We should remember that a loving Heavenly Father is aware of our righteous desires and will honor His promises that nothing will be withheld from those who faithfully keep their covenants. I would like to issue a challenge for all of us as women of the Church to be defenders of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” We need to boldly defend the Lord’s revealed doctrines describing marriage, families, the divine roles of men and women, and the importance of homes as sacred places—even when the world is shouting in our ears that these principles are outdated, limiting, or no longer relevant. Everyone, no matter what their marital circumstance or number of children, can be defenders of the Lord’s plan described in the family proclamation. If it is the Lord’s plan, it should also be our plan!"
Please consider the importance of the following sacred principle from the Proclamation...
"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught: “The Lord Jesus Christ is the focal point in a covenant marriage relationship. … [Imagine that] the Savior is positioned at the apex of [a] triangle, with a woman at the base of one corner and a man at the base of the other corner. Now consider what happens in the relationship between the man and the woman as they individually and steadily ‘come unto Christ’ and strive to be ‘perfected in Him’ (Moroni 10:32). Because of and through the Redeemer, the man and the woman come closer together.” (See the June 2006 Ensign magazine for the article this quote was taken from.)
The visiting teaching message from the February 2016 Ensign also has some wonderful thoughts and messages on this principle of founding our marital relationships upon the teachings of Jesus Christ.
It is important to remember that we should continually be striving and working on changing ourselves, not trying to force change on our spouses.
What has worked in our marriages to help strengthen and protect this sacred relationship?
- Set good examples for each other.
- Choose to actively look for and celebrate the good in each other.
- Be intentional in our desires to have strong relationships and marriages. Don't just leave it to chance.
- Remember we are setting examples for our sons and daughters of marriage and strong relationships.
- Praise each other, compliment the good they do.
Watch the Mormon Message video entitled "Expressions of Love".
We are each important members of so many families that need our example, love, strength, support and help. Remember our immediate families, our extended families, ward families, neighborhood families...look all around us and seek for ways to be a force for good in strengthening and blessing others.
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