James Gilbert

| recently saw a post encouraging its readers to avoid teaching Elder Rasband's talk on the family proclamation because it might be problematic and hurtful to those whose families don't meet the ideal. In truth, no family meets the ideal. We are all imperfect, and so are our families. What's different now, 30 years after the proclamation was introduced, is that we have different social issues affecting the family. The lgbtq movement has swept over western civilization like a tidal wave, leaving few families untouched. The issues of the past—death, divorce, fornication, cohabitation, out-of-wedlock births, abortion, infidelity and even abuse—were never cause for dismissing the family proclamation. We understood that even in imperfect situations, our hope was always in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His ability to shoulder our burdens and bind up our broken hearts. The ideal gave us hope for better things to come, whether in this life or the next. It gave us eternal perspective and understanding. In my opinion, the national recognition of same-sex marriage in 2015 changed everything. The laws of the land broke from the laws of God. What was once taboo was now normal, accepted and even encouraged. Opening the door to same-sex marriage also opened the door to things like rampant gender confusion, especially among children and youth. For some, these "new issues" affecting the family justify ignoring-and even fighting against-the eternal doctrine and prophetic counsel found in the family proclamation. Instead of turning towards the only One who can bring hope and healing, many sadly turn away feeling that these issues are too big for Jesus Christ, that they are somehow unreachable by His atoning sacrifice. I testify that they are not. God gives us commandments for our ultimate benefit and happiness, not just in this life, but in the next. Keeping them is not always easy, but He always provides a way. Always. The way Jesus Christ. The family proclamation is the solution because it points us toward Him.