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The Sacred Foundation of the Family
During the Saturday afternoon session of the 195th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke with great tenderness and conviction about the sacred nature of the family. His message, titled “The Family Proclamation — Words From God,” centered on the enduring power and divine origin of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”
Speaking from the pulpit in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Elder Rasband testified that the family remains the central foundation of God’s plan for His children. He explained that this sacred organization is not merely a social arrangement but a divine institution created by God Himself. The words of The Family Proclamation, given to prophets and apostles through revelation, stand as a modern declaration reaffirming eternal truths that date back to the Creation.
With unmistakable conviction, he reaffirmed that the proclamation is not a statement of opinion or policy, but revealed doctrine, the word of the Lord given through His prophets. Elder Rasband’s clear and deliberate declaration signals that the Church of Jesus Christ stands firmly by these revealed truths about family, marriage, gender, and divine identity. Far from being a document of its time, he emphasized that the proclamation’s teachings are eternal and unchanging, anchoring members around the world to God’s plan for His children… a plan that will never shift with the opinions or movements of the world.
Elder Rasband reminded the worldwide congregation that every person belongs to a family, whether through blood, adoption, or covenant belonging, and that each individual is a son or daughter of Heavenly Parents with a divine nature and destiny. He emphasized that understanding this eternal identity changes how we view ourselves and others. Because the proclamation comes from God, he said, it must be treated “with the reverence deserving words from God.”
The Divine Origin of “The Family Proclamation”
Looking back on the inspired process that led to “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Elder Rasband explained that the document was written and presented under divine direction. A full year before its official introduction at the 1995 Relief Society general meeting, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles began feeling spiritual impressions concerning the growing confusion in the world about family, marriage, and gender.
The Apostles, united in prayer and seeking guidance from heaven, recognized that the time was approaching when the Church would need to clearly articulate God’s unchanging laws regarding family life. Elder Rasband reflected on the humility and reverence that accompanied those discussions, sharing that the Apostles knew they were receiving revelation for the good of all of God’s children. He testified that those sacred meetings were not the result of human wisdom or social observation but divine revelation—evidence that God still speaks through living prophets and apostles today.
When President Gordon B. Hinckley stood in 1995 and introduced The Family Proclamation to the world, few could foresee how essential those words would become in defending truth in an ever-shifting world. Elder Rasband taught that this inspired proclamation was designed to “maintain and strengthen the family as the foundational unit of society.” It stands as doctrine—pure, prophetic, and enduring. Just as the Lord revealed truths in ancient scripture, He revealed the principles within The Family Proclamation to His prophets and apostles in modern times.
Living Mindfully of Divine Identity
Elder Rasband invited listeners to reflect deeply on what it means to live with divine awareness. The Family Proclamation, he said, is not just a document to read or quote; it is a way of life. Every sentence calls disciples of Christ to live mindful of their divine identity and eternal destiny. Remembering that we are children of God changes how we act within our families, how we treat others, and how we view the challenges of mortality.
He addressed those who may struggle with questions about family relationships or personal identity, reassuring them that Heavenly Father knows every heart. God is not distant or unfeeling, Elder Rasband testified. He is a loving Father who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to lift and guide us in all things. “You have family in your Savior, Jesus Christ,” he said tenderly. “He loves you. He came to earth to atone for our sins and to bear the burden of our mistakes and very bad days.”
The Apostle urged members not to lose sight of their eternal worth. He explained that the Savior’s Atonement encompasses every worry, hurt, and trial we face in family life. Whether in moments of loneliness, confusion, or disappointment, Jesus Christ offers perfect understanding and lasting peace. Elder Rasband’s counsel was both practical and spiritual—families succeed best when centered on faith in Christ and guided by the truths revealed in The Family Proclamation.
Equal Roles, Divine Purposes
In his address, Elder Rasband reaffirmed the revealed truth that God created men and women with distinct but equally essential roles. He said that the word “equal” is one that truly matters in heaven’s vocabulary. Though roles may differ, their worth in God’s plan is identical. Fathers and mothers have sacred responsibilities to nurture, provide, and teach their children in love and righteousness. Neither role is superior nor inferior; both are vital to building eternal families.
Elder Rasband spoke directly to young men and women, encouraging them to embrace their divine purpose without comparing themselves to worldly expectations. In a time when societal definitions of family and gender shift almost daily, the Apostle called upon members of the Church to trust in God’s consistent, loving design. The truths revealed in The Family Proclamation are not intended to restrict but to liberate, giving every individual clarity of purpose and a sense of eternal belonging.
He reminded that opposition to divine truth has always existed, but so too has the Lord’s sustaining power. Families today face immense pressure, he said, from broken homes, secular teachings, and a world that often dismisses faith. Yet for those who turn to the Savior, the strength to build lasting relationships and endure trials will always be available. “Our Father in Heaven has provided the proclamation on the family,” Elder Rasband declared, “to help guide us home to Him—to help us learn and be filled with love, strength, purpose, and eternal understanding.”
Elder Rasband’s Life of Service
Elder Ronald A. Rasband was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 3, 2015. Before his call, he served with faithful dedication in many Church responsibilities, including as a General Authority Seventy beginning in 2000 and later in the Presidency of the Seventy in 2005. Prior to those assignments, he helped oversee the Temple Department, first as assistant executive director and later as executive director in 2004—a position unique among modern apostles.
Although Elder Rasband attended the University of Utah, his path took an unexpected turn when a business opportunity required him to leave before graduating. Years later, in recognition of his professional achievements and integrity, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of business and commerce by Utah Valley State College, now Utah Valley University, in 1995. His life reflects the Lord’s pattern of using individuals from varied backgrounds to accomplish His work.
Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie Twitchell Rasband, were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1973. Together they raised five children, and their home has long been a place of love, gospel teaching, and family devotion. The faith and unity within their family reflect the same principles Elder Rasband now teaches the Church—principles grounded in the Savior’s example and the everlasting covenant of marriage.
Continuing to Teach and Testify
In recent years, Elder Rasband has continued to focus his ministry on strengthening families and faith in Jesus Christ. During the April 2025 general conference, he bore powerful witness of being an “eyewitness to the Lord hastening His work.” In September, he addressed students at Brigham Young University, once again reaffirming that “the family is ordained of God.” At the 2025 Seminar for New Mission Leaders, he echoed President Russell M. Nelson’s confirmation that “the Lord is indeed hastening His work.”
Elder Rasband’s global ministry continues to inspire Church members of all ages. While visiting the Philippines earlier this year, he encouraged members to rededicate their lives in preparation for newly announced temples. During a devotional with over 10,000 youth in October 2024, he offered counsel that applies equally to all disciples: “Give equal time to the Lord.” That message of devotion, consistency, and faithfulness underlies everything the Apostle teaches about family and discipleship.
Eternal Truths, Present Comfort
Concluding his message in General Conference, Elder Rasband left listeners with a profound reminder that The Family Proclamation is more than counsel—it is doctrine. It carries heaven’s seal of truth and guidance for the last days. Through its words, God reveals His will for His children concerning marriage, gender, and the eternal purpose of families.
He invited all to approach the proclamation not as a relic of past instruction but as living revelation filled with power and peace for today’s world. He promised that those who study, live, and defend these truths will find strength in their homes and confidence in their hearts. “The proclamation has a divine origin,” he testified, “so we must treat it with the reverence deserving words from God.”
Every person, no matter their circumstance, has a place in God’s eternal family. For anyone who feels alone or unsure, Elder Rasband offered hope in the Savior Jesus Christ, who stands at the center of every eternal home. Through Jesus Christ, families can be healed, strengthened, and sealed forever.
Read more of Elder Rasband’s general conference addresses, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X/Twitter.
