The Family: A Proclamation to the World

"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. 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.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. 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. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. 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. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

Lake Time!

Aaron and I went to Clovis this past weekend and had so much fun! Everyday was so full so the days flew by quickly, but we definitely enjoyed seeing family. The only pictures I have from the whole weekend though are from the one morning that we went to Millerton Lake. Silly me. I need to remember to take my camera out more often. Anyways, Millerton was fun, but cold. My mom and I opted to stay in the boat while my dad skied and Aaron and Jesse wake surfed.

Mom and Jesse getting ready to go to the Lake.

Aaron freezing at the front of the boat.
Jesse bear.

Mama.

Papalapa.

Yes, it was that cold.

Just one ski! Go dad!!

Jesse makes the funniest faces while he's surfing!

Aaron's first time! He got up on his third try! Yay!

And down he goes...

It was a very fun, freezing morning! Of course the trip was too short, but we're excited that we'll be back in Clovis for Thanksgiving and then my family will be here in Vegas for the whole week of Christmas! Yay for the holidays! I'm already pumped for Christmas music =)

Nursery!

We're finally getting the nursery put together! We bought a crib earlier this week and put it together as soon as we got home! Well, I put in one screw, and Aaron did the rest while I watched and took pictures!

Just out of the box!

The railing for under the mattress is done!

Daddy is so proud of his progress =)

All done! Isn't it beautiful?! On sale at Target! Woo!!

Here's the bump! Just shy of 5 months!

We're back!

I couldn't stay away for too long. I have been feeling sad that our friends and family weren't able to be updated about the baby and us, so we're back. Or, I should say I'm back since Aaron is never on the internet. He was very excited this morning when I told him that I was going to start a blog up again though! So to get you all caught up... Aaron and I just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary on March 30, we were sealed for all eternity in the Oakland Temple on April 12th, and we found about a month after the sealing that we are going to be having our first child in January! Two weeks ago we went in for an ultrasound and found out that we are having a girl! We are both so excited! We had both wanted a girl early on in the pregnancy, but I had become very neutral about it in the past month or two, and I thought Aaron had as well, but on our way to the ultrasound Aaron said, "I really want a girl." So he was so so so happy when we found out! And before you all ask, we are not going to be sharing any name ideas, but we do have several that we really love. You will all get to hear the final verdict once she's born. In the meantime you can all call her Bunny. That is the nickname Aaron picked out for her and it is very suiting! She is such a kicker! I had felt flutters once back when I was about 16 weeks along, but didn't feel her again until a couple days after our "It's a girl!" ultrasound. And since then she's been kicking like crazy. I feel her all day every day, and it's not like a flutter movement. These are serious kicks! About two days after I started feeling the kicks, I was laying down on the couch with my hand on the side of my belly and she kicked so hard I felt it with my hand! I thought that maybe my mind was playing tricks on me, but the very next day, Aaron felt her kick too! I did not think that was possible at 20 weeks, but apparently it is and we love it! Our original due date was set for January 23rd, but was moved up to the 18th at our first ultrasound. After having another though, Aaron and I won't be suprised if she comes even sooner than that. Both times she's been measured she's been ahead of where she needs to be, so we've decided that we need to be ready for her by Christmas! Anyways, here are some pictures for you all...

Side shot...

Bunny's feet. It looks like she's going to get the Call toes!

3D shot of Bunny's face. She's going to be so freakin adorable!!

And last, but not least, a picture showing mom and dad that she is definately not a boy!
Love you all! Hope you're all doing well! Aaron, Bunny, and I send our love to you all!!