Mormon Beliefs Family

What do Mormons believe about family?

Mormons believe the family is the basic and essential social unit on earth, and that family structure and function has eternal implications. There is no greater work one can do than that which is performed within the walls of the home. Mormon doctrine teaches that the family can also be an eternal unit, when its members abide by covenants made in holy Mormon temples. In temples, couples are married for time and all eternity, meaning that they will live together forever, if they continue to be righteous in this life.

Those in the Mormon religion believe that before we came to earth to live with our families here, we lived with our Heavenly Parents—Heavenly Father and Mother—who created our spirits. In heaven we prepared to come to earth in the time the Lord established.

Jesus Christ, under the direction of Heavenly Father, created the earth to be our mortal home.  In this physical world we are commanded to multiply and replenish the earth. Mormons believe the Lord has given direct and important rules which apply to the powers of procreation.  These powers, which Mormons believe to be sacred, are to be employed only between man and woman, within the bonds of marriage. Mormonism affirms the supreme importance and beauty of creating families and the equal relationship between husband and wife.

What Mormons believe is that Satan is attacking the family today and wants us to adopt a casual attitude about procreation and family relationships. In truth, the Lord has revealed that families are of utmost importance and we should do all we can to prepare for our future families or treasure those we already have. The Lord will bless those who strive for family unity and love. Mormons devote their best efforts to creating homes where their children can properly grow and develop, preparing for the challenges of life and learning to rely on the promises of the Lord to the faithful.

The Mormon Church shapes its programs, and activities to uphold the family as an eternal unit.  Church leaders encourage family prayer, family scripture reading, and “family home evening,” a family gathering usually held on Monday nights. Wholesome recreation and church programs round out the activities encouraged by the Church.

The Church has published a document, entitled Family: A Proclamation to the world, explaining the Church’s stand on the family.  This proclamation must be viewed as the Lord’s stand on the family, since proclamations by the Church begin with direct revelation from God.  The Church supports political and social movements that uphold the traditional family. 

To see information regarding the Church’s involvement with California’s Proposition 8 controversy, click here.

The Family: 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 worshiped 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 his or her divine destiny as an heir 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” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to 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.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.