Defenders
of the Family Proclamation – by Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General
President
“Let
us help build the kingdom of God by standing up boldly and being defenders of
marriage, parenthood, and the home.”
Sister
Oscarson said, “When President Gordon B.
Hinckley first read ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World’ 20 years ago this
year, we were grateful for and valued the clarity, simplicity, and truth of
this revelatory document. Little did we realize then how very desperately we
would need these basic declarations in today’s world as the criteria by which
we could judge each new wind of worldly dogma coming at us from the media, the
Internet, scholars, TV and films, and even legislators. 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.”
Sister Oscarson made the point that
“[l]ife rarely goes exactly according to plan for anyone, and we are very aware
that not all women are experiencing what the proclamation describes. It is
still important to understand and teach the Lord’s pattern and strive for the
realization of that pattern the best we can.”
Sister Oscarson reminded us that “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. Heavenly Father has a mission
and plan for each of us, but He also has His own timetable. One of the hardest
challenges in this life is to have faith in the Lord’s timing. It’s a good idea
to have an alternative plan in mind, which helps us to be covenant-keeping,
charitable, and righteous women who build the kingdom of God no matter which
way our lives go. We need to teach our daughters to aim for the ideal but plan for
contingencies.”
Question to ponder: Sister Oscarson issued the challenge to all
of us as women of the Church to be defenders of “The Family: A Proclamation to
the World.” In what ways can we be
defenders of the proclamation?
Points to ponder: Sister Oscarson reminded us of three
important principles taught in the proclamation which are especially in need of
steadfast defenders.
The first is marriage between a man
and a woman. Sister Oscarson counseled
us to be defenders of marriage as the Lord has ordained it while continuing to
show love and compassion for those with differing views.
The second principle calls for our
defending voices in elevating the divine roles of mothers and fathers. Sister Oscarson asked this question: “Do we also teach our sons and daughters
there is no greater honor, no more elevated title, and no more important role
in this life than that of mother or father? I would hope that as we encourage
our children to reach for the very best in this life that we also teach them to
honor and exalt the roles that mothers and fathers play in Heavenly Father’s
plan.”
The third principle we need to stand
and defend is the sanctity of the home.
Sister Oscarson stated: “We need to take a term which is sometimes
spoken of with derision and elevate it. It is the term homemaker. All of
us—women, men, youth, and children, single or married—can work at being
homemakers. We should ‘make our homes’ places of order, refuge, holiness, and
safety. Our homes should be places where the Spirit of the Lord is felt in rich
abundance and where the scriptures and the gospel are studied, taught, and
lived. What a difference it would make in the world if all people would see
themselves as makers of righteous homes. Let us defend the home as a place which
is second only to the temple in holiness.”
Sister Oscarson ended her remarks by
saying that she is grateful to be a woman in these latter days. She further
stated, “[w]e have opportunities and possibilities which no other generation of
women has had in the world. Let us help build the kingdom of God by standing up
boldly and being defenders of marriage, parenthood, and the home. The Lord
needs us to be brave, steadfast, and immovable warriors who will defend His
plan and teach the upcoming generations His truths.”
