The Family: A Proclamation to the World is a document explaining to us the roles that mothers, and fathers have in the family. It explains that we lived with our Father in Heaven before we came to this earth and that our genders are essential to our individual and eternal identity and purpose. This document, which was read in a general conference session for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1995 by a prophet, named Gordon B. Hinckley, has strengthened my testimony of the importance of families and the essential and divine roles that mothers, and fathers have in the home. It is stated in the proclamation that, “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.”

            Many people I our society today argue with this and think that men can be women and women can be men. There are procedures that can be done and changes that can be made to the body, and people are able to identify however they would like. This is not in line with God’s plan. We each knew God when we lived with Him before this life and we were aware of our gender and that that would help us succeed and become the best person that we can be.

            Of course, there are jobs that men have that women can have and vice versa, however, when it comes down to the roles of mothers and fathers, they cannot be substituted. A man physically cannot be a mother and a woman cannot physically be a father.

            Men and women are different.

            There may be men who are better caretakers or nurturers than other men, but they will not be able to compete with the natural ability that women have to nurture and to care for children.

            Studies have been done to show that boys and girls are inherently different. When the pink labels are taken off of the girl toys and the blue labels are removed from the boy toys, girls will still be drawn to the girl toys (barbie dolls and kitchen sets) and boys will still be drawn to the boy toys (guns, cars, sports).

God created us to be different from one another, individually, and as men and women. We are meant to balance each other out. That is why marriage between a man and a woman is essential to God’s plan and is the best situation in which children should be raised. “…fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.” There is such a perfect balance that God has so carefully set in place. He did not just wing the creation, especially the creation of us, humans, His children. He cares so much for us, so he made a PERFECT plan for us to return to Him and for us to be happy while we are here in the earth. It is chaotic down here, but He has not left us alone. He has blessed us with prophets (such as those who were inspired by God to write this family proclamation to the world), and other righteous leaders to help us find our way.

I am so thankful for the sure knowledge that I have of my divine role as a woman, and one day a mother and I know that my husband feels the same way about his divine as a man, and one day a father.