The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Chances are, you've all read/heard the Family Proclamation (or at least part of it) in some lesson or talk. It's part of a Personal Progress experience. If you're 38 or older, you may have actually heard President Hinckley read it from the pulpit for the first time in 1995.

Here's the real question: Did you actually internalize it? Understand it? Ponder it? Know it?

Okay, yes. Some of you did! But if you didn't...

In 1998, Henry B. Eyring, now First Counselor in the First Presidency, wrote an article for the Ensign entitled "The Teachings of 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World'". It was reprinted in the September 2015 New Era, because that was the 20 year anniversary of the Family Proclamation. And that was the issue of the New Era I happened to pick up on Sunday morning to read before church.

(Okay, maybe not "happened", exactly. See, our family has recently started memorizing the Proclamation, and I saw that on the cover and thought it would be a good one to read. Boy, I was right on that!!)

So, please enjoy this neat article, and strengthen your testimony of each of the principles found in this awesome revelation through a prophet of God!

THE TEACHINGS OF "THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD"

Conference!

The 186th Annual General Conference was held last week, and boy, wasn't it fantastic?! It was sooo nice to feel uplifted and loved and peaceful for eight whole hours. Some of my favorite talks All the talks were great and they definitely resonated with me. And NO, I am not just 'saying that'. It's just a bit hard to describe, you know?

The "book-end" talks were perfect: President Eyring and Elder Holland. Both were a bit emotional and I think that helps the members to realize/internalize that they are really loved and thought about and prayed about by the leaders of the Church, as well as bring the Spirit.

I loved the talks about the temple: Elders Quentin L. Cook and Elder Kent F. Richards.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson spoke to the youth specifically (LOVE it when they do that!!!!!!!!!!) and Elder Mervyn B. Arnold talked about going to the RESCUE. I hadn't heard him before and really enjoyed his talk.

And, of course, President THOMAS S. MONSON gave an inspired, though brief, talk that has a good message and reminder to each of us. Good to hear his deep, assured voice.

Then today I was reading MMM's conference summary (awesome; check them all out!) for the priesthood session, which I didn't have the opportunity to watch this go-around. I searched up President Uchtdorf's talk from that session and skimmed over it. There were humorous parts, because that's President Uchtdorf, but the meat of the talk--wow. Wow. It was directed towards the husbands of today, but I sure hope that all of the future husbands were listening, because it was pretty impressive. Link! Great reminders and tips in that talk.

That's all for today!

As Sisters in Zion We'll Gather Together...

Did you watch the General Women's Session last night?? Wasn't it just fabulous? What was your favorite talk? Tell me in the comments. 

LDS.org now has the highlights of each talk here so that if you didn't get to watch it or you want to keep it fresh in your minds till the talks come out in print, you can review them now. 

***I'm not going to comment on every talk. You'll just have to do that yourself in the COMMENT section. ;) It's there for you!***

There was a strong emphasis on defending and building the family, especially since this year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Family Home Evening and the 20th anniversary of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, and because that is our main role as girls and women. 

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President, said, “The proclamation on the family has become our benchmark for judging the philosophies of the world and I testify that the principles set forth within this statement are as true today as they were when they were given to us by a prophet of God nearly 20 years ago.” (emphasis added) The family is being attacked from every angle! Sister Oscarson challenged each of us as sisters to commit to boldly defend the Proclamation on the Family and keep those values alive. 

President Henry B. Eyring was the concluding speaker. I really enjoyed his talk. It was sweet, and you definitely need to go back and read/watch it when you have the time. He spoke about the Holy Ghost and its role in comforting Heavenly Father's children.

He told about a little boy who died at the age of five unexpectedly on a family vacation. He visited with the boy's family and testified that the Holy Ghost was there, in that room with them. 

He also spoke about a young lady who was at the funeral. She told President Eyring that she had come to the funeral to possibly offer comfort, but she was also seeking comfort. She had recently lost her own child. The woman was holding a little girl in her arms. President Eyring leaned over to look into the child's sweet eyes. "What is her name?" he asked the young mother. 

She replied, "Her name is Joy. Joy always comes after sorrow." Joy does come after sorrow. The Holy Ghost will bring us peace, joy, and comfort beyond imagination. 

I hope every covenant sister in the Church got to enjoy this broadcast! It is always so wonderful. 

Also, don't forget to watch General Conference this coming Saturday/Sunday (info), and have a lovely Sabbath afternoon!

P.S. Can you think of some Personal Progress ideas? You can write a few of your own in Faith (faith in living prophets, faith to follow prophets, etc.), Individual Worth (along the lines of 'prophets speak to you and answer your questions in General Conference'), Knowledge (increasing your knowledge of the gospel), and so forth. But don't limit yourself to these! Be creative!

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