In The State of Our Unions Marriage in America 2012 the question is asked “Why should we care?” This is an interesting question to bring up in today’s society. Many people think that marriage is a private arrangement, meant to join two people in a union. So how is the State of our Union affected, and why should our government care?
In studying the effects of marriage and divorce this week, I was very interested to read that the government has been involved in many projects to strengthen marriages throughout my lifetime. Another student in my class shared that she had studied over 50 Bills centered around marriage. The following are a few of the projects that I read about:
-2001 Bush administration declared that strengthening marriage would be one on nine priorities of the Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services.
-2005 the Deficit Reduction Act set up the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Act (5 year grant) Then in- 2011 renewed for 3 more years
-2012 The State of Our Unions; The National Marriage Project which monitors the current
health of marriage and family life in America.
Produced annually, it is a joint publication of the
National Marriage Project at the University of
Virginia and the Center for Marriage and Families
at the Institute for American Values.
In all of these projects, the government has seen the effects of failing marriages and the impact they have on the disappearance of the middle class, the disadvantages of single parent homes and the stability of families.
In Why Marriage Matters: Thirty Conclusions from the Social Sciences we read:
“Children are less likely to thrive in cohabiting households, compared to intact, married families. On many social, educational, and psychological outcomes, children in cohabiting households do significantly worse than children in intact, married families, and about as poorly as children living in single-parent families. And when it comes to abuse, recent federal data indicate that children in cohabiting households are markedly more likely 9 to be physically, sexually, and emotionally abused than children in both intact, married families and single-parent families.”
With the state of our Union in need of stable, hard-working families that won’t tax the government, it is no wonder they want to provide programs that will strengthen the marriages in our Nation.
The government isn't the only ones fighting for the institution of marriage to remain strong. Many religions place emphasis on lasting marriages. They also see the benefits of strong families to keep communities full of faith and good values.
The government isn't the only ones fighting for the institution of marriage to remain strong. Many religions place emphasis on lasting marriages. They also see the benefits of strong families to keep communities full of faith and good values.
In my religion, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, marriage is essential to eternal progression. Our prophets have testified of this over and over. In 1995 the First Presidency of our church issued The Family: A Proclamation to the World. In this document it emphasizes the importance of marriage, families and our Eternal identity.
THE FAMILY
A PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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 worshipped 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 their divine destiny as heirs 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” (Psalm 127:3). 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. 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.
One of our Prophets, President Spencer W. Kimball, said; “Many of the social restraints which in the past have helped to reinforce and to shore up the family are dissolving and disappearing. The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us.” (Families Can Be Eternal, Nov. 1980, 4)
What a powerful statement, that only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families...
We must believe in what a family stands for. It should not be on a whim that we create these powerful institutions.
And a current Apostle in our church stated, "In contrast, modern prophets have warned that looking upon marriage “as a mere contract that may be entered into at pleasure … and severed at the first difficulty … is an evil meriting severe condemnation,” especially where children are made to suffer." Elder Oaks
I believe that Marriage is ordained of God. Through marriage we learn to work through communication, financial decisions, selflessness, teamwork, and JOY. There are so many great things to recieve from this union. I think that we should teach our nation that we must "believe deeply and actively in the family" so that we can strengthen our nation and the foundation that will continue to build it up.
Where I learned my strength!!! My mom pictured in the center with seven girls...just missing is my only brother. I love these women and the value they give to their families.
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