God's Truth vs The Worlds Truth

As members of the church, we believe and follow a document known as "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." If you would be interested in reading the document, here is a link! The Family: A Proclamation to the World https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng The world today has many views and beliefs as to what is true than what is actually true to God. His truth is what we should care about. Today, I wanted to talk about some of the truths that are taught in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" versus what the world believes. Near the beginning of the proclamation it states that "All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God." This seems like such a simple and well-known truth, but it is something that the world is forgetting or changing. Social media, Hollywood, and pop culture make us believe that we must look a certain way or dress a certain way, or we are not worthy, that if we don't look like the celebrities, then we aren't attractive. This sets an unrealistic and unachievable standard for me and women. We know that God created us all as individuals to be unique. We know that our worth isn't based on our looks or our possessions. There is a quote that I love that says "Flowers are pretty but so are Christmas lights and they look nothing alike." Our individuality is something that makes us beautiful and God wants us to celebrate that. The next truth that I wanted to talk about from the proclamation states, "We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife." This is a very hot topic right now. In the media, sexual relations are very commonly shown outside of marriage and in a casual, demeaning way. This takes away the sacred nature of the power that we have been given to have children. Another thing that the world does, is use music to take away from the sacred nature of procreation. Popular music is often very degrading towards men and women but it is just seen as a normal thing. Satan wants us to believe that our sexual relations don't matter, that we can have sex with whomever we want, whenever we want. The teachings of God help us to know that this is not true. The next truth says that "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live." Many things in the world today fight against this truth. One is the pro-choice movement that teaches us that women should have the right to terminate her pregnancy if they choose. The media also pushes the idea that children hold us back and that we should go live our life without the "weight" of having to care for children. In the U.S. in the last 20 years, the number of same-sex relationships and same-sex marriages has increased dramatically, and in media and in tv shows, movies, and other things it is becoming more and more common. In the proclamation, it states that "Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity." I find it interesting that it uses the word "entitled". Children deserve to be raised in a home with a loving mother and father who honor each other. The world tries to convince us that children that are raised by same-sex parents are just as well off as children raised by a loving mother and father but we know this is just not true. The last truth that the world is attacking, is the role that mothers and fathers have in the family. The proclamation defines the father and mother's roles as the following, "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." Women have developed an attitude of "I don't need no man! I can do everything a man can!" This is true in many cases, but we need each other in order to become like God and experience full joy. The world encourages women to leave the home and work and follow their dreams. It is not a bad thing to work and follow your dreams, but it should never get in the way of nurturing your family. As we can see, the world is drifting further and further from the truth that God teaches. I am grateful for "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" because it helps me find the truth and remember the truth. There is safety and joy that comes when we follow God's laws and I know that as we follow his commandments, He will always keep his end of the promise!