The Prophet and the Proclamation

The Family: A Proclamation to the World was first introduced 25 years ago this week. I am grateful for the eternal truths contained in this wonderful document. I was serving as a missionary in Lima, Peru, when it was announced; and after our mission president encouraged us to share copies of the document in our everyday work, we saw many doors open to us, both figuratively and literally.

In Sheri Dew's biography of our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson---an excellent book that I read not too long ago--she tells the story of how the proclamation came about.

In 1994, the brethren of the Church were concerned by the erosion of the family unit and numerous trends that were troubling. President Nelson, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explains in the book:

"The Twelve reviewed both doctrine and policies, considering those things that could not be changed---doctrine---and those things that could possibly be---policies. They discussed issues they saw coming, including an intensified societal push for gay marriage and transgender rights. 'But that was not the end of what we saw,' Elder Nelson explained. 'We could see the efforts of various communities to do away with all standards and limitations on sexual activity. We saw the confusion of genders. We could see it all coming.'

"This extended discussion, along with others over a period of time, led to the conclusion that the Twelve should prepare a document, perhaps even a proclamation, outlining the Church's stand on the family to present to the First Presidency for consideration. ...

"As an outgrowth of these discussions, a committee consisting of Elders Faust, Maxwell, and Nelson was appointed to draft a document."

Over the course of more than a year, these three brethren worked with the First Presidency to bring the document to its current status ... (and it was) introduced by Pres. Hinckley in the general Relief Society meeting September 23, 1995."

This idea was well accepted. "For many, the proclamation seemed to be little more than a restatement of well-understood, time-honored principles about marriage, family, and gender identity. In 1995, marriage between a man and a woman was a given. ...

"'But we could see what was coming,' said Elder Nelson some years later. 'What seemed so obvious in 1995 is now a standard, really, for the entire world. Over the years, I've given many copies of the proclamation to many governmental leaders not of our faith who've been grateful.'" ...

"In a relative few years, dozens of countries, including the United States, legalized gay marriage. Transgender issues came to the fore, with celebrities and other influencers popularizing the notion that gender was a matter of choice rather than a divinely directed reality. Criticism of the Church's doctrinal position as well as policies associated with that doctrine came from both outside and inside the Church. Society increasingly hurled cries of bigotry toward anyone who opposed gay marriage on religious or moral grounds."

"'There are those who label us bigots,' said Elder Nelson, 'but the bigots are those who don't allow us to feel as we feel but want us to allow them to feel as they feel. Our stand ultimately boils down to the law of chastity. The Ten Commandments are still valid. They've never been revoked. ... That powerful message is our stand. We cannot change it. We welcome people of different attitudes into the Church, but it is not our prerogative to change laws that God has decreed.'"

Reading this story made me especially grateful for the seer role of our prophets, seers, and revelators.

Here we are, 25 years after the proclamation's release, and we are exactly where the prophets warned us we'd be. Much has changed in the world, but the proclamation's teachings remain the same.

I look forward learning more from our prophets, seers, and revelators at this coming weekend's general conference.

Prophet of the People

This past Sunday, I was asked to go to the care center branch in our stake to give a talk in their sacrament meeting service. I have been attending and helping out with various functions at this branch for a number of years now, and I never cease to be floored the amazing people in the branch and the Spirit I feel each time I go. This time was no exception.

For my topic, I chose to speak on the Prophet Joseph Smith, as his birthday (December 23) is another birthday we recognize around this time of year. In concluding my message, I got to once again stand before a congregation of the Church and bear testimony of our latter-day prophets, in particular my witness that President Thomas S. Monson holds the same keys Joseph held.

Then, last night, I went to the local Megaplex for my fourth viewing (don't look so shocked) of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. As the closing credits began to roll, I checked my phone for any text messages or news. I was deeply saddened to read more than one post on social media alerting me that our dear prophet had passed away earlier in the evening.

As a Church, we're always sorrowful when any of the General Authorities shuffle off this mortal coil, but especially so when it's our president. I join with my fellow Latter-day Saints today in mourning this wonderful, bold, caring, exemplary man who has now been reunited with the wife he lost a few years ago and has gone onto his reward in the rest of our Lord.

If you're a Latter-day Saint and are looking for a great read, or even if you're just a friend of the Church, I would highly recommend reading his biography, To the Rescue, by Heidi Swinton. It's a phenomenal book. I learned so many things about our prophet that I did not previously know. For example, in all of the years he went to East Germany behind the Iron Curtain, he was warned by the U.S. Embassy more than once that they could probably not do anything to get him out if something went wrong—and yet he went anyway, time and again. This is the kind of person he was.

I know President Thomas S. Monson was a prophet of God. I also know that those of us who remain behind in these troubled times have nothing to fear, that in a short amount of time we'll see the First Presidency reorganized and another called to lead us with great faith and strength in his absence. My thoughts and prayers are also with President Russell M. Nelson and the other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles today.

The Rock of Revelation

What a fantastic general conference of the Church that just concluded today. There were many, many talks that edified and inspired, new words introduced into the LDS lexicon ("ponderize" and "idiotsyncracies" among them), and prayers answered through the messages that were given.

A word about the three new Apostles (Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Renlund) who were called to fill the vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve: I do not know much about these three brethren just yet, though I understand some of you do. I did listen to Elder Rasband's recent CES fireside, and I enjoyed many of the sentiments expressed. I am looking forward to being instructed by these men in the months and years that come and, in the process, learning more about them.

I was, however, disappointed to read a few comments by people I know who expressed disdain at "three white guys from Utah" being added into the Twelve, complaining about a perceived lack of "diversity."

Whether or not that is true, I do not believe that is the issue that matters here. To these friends and acquaintances, I urge you to focus on one vitally important concept: Do you believe that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God?

If the answer is yes, then arguably you also hold to the idea that he is, therefore, the Lord's mouthpiece for the Church here on Earth, and these callings are the result of divine revelation. Even if you were expecting possibly someone else to fill those empty chairs in the Conference Center (and, admittedly, I may have been among that number until the names were read), I invite you to think about the fact that he has spent many hours in meditation and prayer in making these assignments and has not done so to fulfill a perceived quota.

The Lord's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. He looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance. Even if we often do.

If the answer to the above question is no, well, odds are you just might have found something else to be upset about had the "diversity" you desired been achieved. I've been on social media enough to know that the Great and Spacious Building tunes in to conference, too. Because, hey, pointing fingers is more fun.

My own testimony of Pres. Monson was solidified again last night while listening to him speak in priesthood session and hearing what the word of the Lord was at this moment in time. He summed up the gist of his message by saying:

"My message to you tonight is straightforward," he said. "It is this: Keep the commandments."

I've said this before, but it seems that all I really need to know, I learned in Primary.

Want to know some of Paco's other thoughts on some of the specific talks? I'll be blogging on a few in the weeks that come. You might also follow me on Facebook and Twitter if you've got a lot of free time on your hands, because he was active on both fronts trying to #sharegoodness. Like you do.