Freedom Of Choice

Before coming to earth, Heavenly Father gave us a very special gift..

"The freedom of choice".

In the pre-existing there was a war in heaven (REV.12). In this war we had the freedom of choice to choose whether to stay with Heavenly Father to follow His plan of salvation or to follow Satan's plan. 3/4's of the heavens chose to stay with Heavenly Father and to follow His plan, so we could someday return to our heavenly home.  

At birth we are blessed with parents to guide us along the way through this life by teaching us right from wrong and how to make good choices. But sometimes we take another road completely different from the one we were taught to follow. This new road makes us choose the wrong instead of the right.

In the Proclamation to the World, it allows us to understand why the freedom of choice is so important to guide us back into God's presence.

"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 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."

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.