Sanctity of Life

                We can strengthen our families, communities, and nations by studying the document titled “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” and by following its precepts. One way to study the proclamation is one paragraph at a time. This is the sixth article in this series.

                The fifth paragraph of the proclamation states, “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.”

                This paragraph clearly tells us that mortal life is sacred and should be revered and protected. It applies to human beings from the time they are conceived until the time they pass from this life into eternity. It warns against both abortion and murder.

                As president of Brigham Young University, Jeffrey R. Holland delivered a devotional address titled “Of Souls,Symbols, and Sacraments” to the student body on January 12, 1988. In this address President Holland explains why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers sexual sin so serious.

                “Setting aside sins against the Holy Ghost as a special category unto themselves, it is LDS doctrine that sexual transgression is second only to murder in the Lord’s list of life’s most serious sins. By assigning such rank to a physical appetite so conspicuously evident in all of us, what is God trying to tell us about its place in His plan for all men and women in mortality? I submit to you He is doing precisely that – commenting about the very plan of life itself. Clearly God’s greatest concerns regarding mortality are how one gets into this world and how one gets out of it. These two most important issues in our very personal and carefully supervised progress are the two issues that He as our Creator, Father, and Gide wishes most to reserve to Himself. These are the two matters that He has repeatedly told us He wants us never to take illegally, illicitly, unfaithfully, without sanction.”

                As you study the fifth paragraph of the proclamation, you may want to share what you learn in a family home evening. This site has a wonderful family home evening program all outlined with lesson, music, activity, and refreshments. I hope you will use this outline and strengthen your family, community, and nation by understanding the doctrine that life is mortal life is created by God, sacred, and important to God’s plan for our eternal happiness.

Family Proclamation #5

            Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when individuals understand and live the principles contained in the inspired document known as “The Family:  A Proclamation to the World.”  The proclamation on the family is inspired counsel from living apostles and prophets and contains counsel to help strengthen marriages and families.

The fifth paragraph of the Proclamation states, “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.”  This principle shows the importance of life in the plan that God has for His children.  The reason why murder and abortion are such terrible sins is because they destroy life. 

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “The joining of a man and a woman to be legally and lawfully wed not only is preparation for future generations to inherit the earth, but it also brings the greatest joy and satisfaction that can be found in this mortal experience.  This is especially true when the powers of the priesthood proclaim a marriage to be for time and for all eternity.  Children born to such marriages have a security that is found nowhere else”  (“Becoming Goodly Parents,” Ensign,November 2012). 

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “I plead with you to control your tempers, to put a smile upon your faces, which will erase anger; speak out with words of love and peace, appreciation, and respect.  If you will do this, your lives will be without regret.  Your marriages and family relationships will be preserved.  You will be much happier.  You will do greater good.  You will feel a sense of peace that will be wonderful” (“Slow to Anger,” Ensign,November 2007) 

Life holds many challenges for each of us because we all have problems and disappointments.  We all have good things that happen in our lives also.  We were all sent to earth in order to be tried and tested but also to find joy.  We can either stumble because of our trials or we can use them as stepping stones.  Life depends on us.  Each life has value and is a cause for gratitude as shown in a hymn entitled “Each Life That Touches Ours for Good” (Hymns, 293).  Words were written by Karen Lynn Davidson with music by A. Laurence Lyon.

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above.

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior’s name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord above.

Heavenly Father will bless us and our families as we gather together in family prayer.  “Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed” (Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Christ, 3 Nephi 18:21).