Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives

Issued by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve in 1995, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” has instructed and inspired Latter-day Saints throughout the world, including many LDS scholars who seek to strengthen and defend marriages and families. This new volume, edited by Alan Hawkins, David Dollahite, and Thomas Draper, all of the School of Family Life at BYU, draws together the best of their latest findings. Each of the 34 chapters focuses on a particular principle drawn from the Family Proclamation. The authors draw on the teachings of LDS Church leaders and social science findings to analyze that principle and provide practical applications. These timely studies show how families are affected by such things as changing dating practices, cohabitation, gay marriage, abuse, and economic difficulties. Readers will also find here thoughtful treatments of timeless subjects such as the practical benefits of traditional marriage, and the whys and hows of righteous parenting. Christian principles of love, faith, hope, and forgiveness underscore every page. This book will build and reinforce testimonies of these gospel principles, will help readers advance these principles in many circles of discussion and debate, and will increase readers’ confidence in their own abilities to live and implement the principles of the Family Proclamation.