In Latter-day Saint homes throughout the world, it's not uncommon to see hanging on walls a copy in various sizes, frames and languages of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." The wording of the document is not new to members of the Church; it is more of a reminder.

To the world in general, it declares without apology or equivocation the importance of marriage between a man and woman and the centrality of family in God's plan for His children. And the proclamation carries a warning: " . . . The disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets."

It has been nearly five years now since President Gordon B. Hinckley introduced this document from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve to the Church and world during the General Relief Society Meeting Sept. 23, 1995 — six months after the Solemn Assembly during which he was sustained as president of the Church. With his counselors in the First Presidency, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust, sitting behind him, President Hinckley presented "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" as "a declaration and reaffirmation of standards, doctrines and practices relative to the family which the prophets, seers and revelators of this Church have repeatedly stated throughout its history."

That fall evening, the Church president looked out over the thousands of women filling the Tabernacle on Temple Square and declared: "I believe that it should be the blessing of every child to be born into a home where that child is welcomed, nurtured, loved and blessed with parents, a father and a mother, who live with loyalty to one another and to their children.

"Stand strong against the wiles of the world," he continued. "The creators of our entertainment, the purveyors of much of our literature, would have you believe otherwise. The accumulated wisdom of centuries declares with clarity and certainty that the greater happiness, the greater security, the greater peace of mind, the deeper reservoirs of love are experienced only by those who walk according to time-tested standards of virtue before marriage and total fidelity within marriage."

Continuing, President Hinckley spoke words of comfort to single parents: " . . . If when they are very small there is much of affection, there is shown much of love, there is prayer together, then there will more likely be peace in the hearts and strength in the character of your children. Teach them the ways of the Lord."

Since that day, Church members have used the proclamation in family home evenings, in Church lessons and as a personal guide in making decisions. It has also been used as a missionary and/or public relations tool as local and general Church leaders have presented nicely framed copies of the document to community and government leaders throughout the world.

For example, local leaders in Kansas City, Mo., presented the proclamation to Mayor Kay Waldo Barnes during a recent meeting in which they explained the organization of the Church and its strong belief in families.

In Papeete, Tahiti, Gaston Flosse, president of the Territory of French Polynesia, Edward Fritch, vice president, and 15 Tahiti government ministers met with local priesthood leaders at the mission home during a recent dinner. President Ralph T. Andersen of the Tahiti Papeete Mission and local stake and district presidents presented each government visitor with a copy of the proclamation and the Relief Society theme.

In addition, in Geneva, Switzerland, in November 1999, during the World Congress of Families II, Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy; Elder Charles Didier of the Seventy and president of the Europe East Area; Sister Mary Ellen Smoot, Relief Society general president; and Sister Margaret D. Nadauld, Young Women general president; participated among some 1,575 delegates in promoting the natural family. During the three-day event, delegates had an opportunity to receive copies of the proclamation, which was available in many languages.

But no matter the language of the proclamation, the principles and doctrines are the same.