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The basic doctrine of Marriage and Family is central to the Plan of Salvation and is the fruit of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. All Covenants support the family unit. Prophets and Revelation have spoken and testified of the importance of the Family since the beginning of life on Earth. The crowning blessings of the Temple and the fullness of the gospel on this Earth are realized through the Temple Marriage Covenant between husband and wife.
Yet we live in a fallen world where the family is under attack and where the eternal truths about Marriage and Family are under tremendous social pressure to alter this sacred definition. This scenario can make teaching the doctrine of the Eternal Family particularly challenging.
In this episode of the Latter-day Saint MissionCast we interview W. Justin Dyer who has written on this subject, and who teaches at BYU. We discuss the basic doctrine of the family, as well as address some of the misunderstood parts of the pre-existence, and some folk doctrines that we should avoid mingling with teaching people of the Gospel.
Here is the text of the Marriage and Family Doctrine on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Website.
8. Marriage and Family
Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the family is central to His plan of salvation and to our happiness. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between a man and a woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Parents are to multiply and replenish the earth, rear their children in love and righteousness, and provide for the physical and spiritual needs of their children.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other. Fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and provide the necessities of life. 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.
The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to continue beyond the grave. The earth was created and the gospel was revealed so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally. (Adapted from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 129; see also LDS.org/topics/family-proclamation.)
Related references: Genesis 2:24; Psalm 127:3; Malachi 4:5–6; D&C 131:1–4