My stake presidency issued inspired counsel to all the members of my stake to memorize "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." While this may seem like a daunting task, like all other worthy and righteous goals, it yields great rewards!
For me, memorizing the Proclamation allowed me to prove the promise of the words in D&C 121:45, "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." When the statements from the Proclamation were continually in my mind, I began to see how often it is quoted or paraphrased in General Conference and other church meetings and publications. I started to recognize its principles being taught through my scripture study, giving me greater insight and knowledge. But one of the most priceless blessings I felt, was in gaining a testimony of the truthfulness of its teachings. Knowledge obtained through the witness of the Holy Spirit is different, stronger than that gained in any other way. Learning by the Spirit not only that these things were true, but why they were true, allowed me to recognize the error of much of the socially accepted theories regarding the family. It bolstered my confidence in the responsibility of rearing children in a world where so many are confused about these eternal principles of gender, marriage, and family.
Why not memorize it yourself, and see what blessings the Lord has in store for you!
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Bethany. Isn't the proclamation so divinely inspired!?! I had it as a personal goal to memorize it, and I haven't finished because it is hard to be solo in my motivation, but I agree that it helps your testimony as well as keeping the principles in your mind. I find that I am able to remember the parts I've memorized when in discussions and lessons, and I am able to remind myself (and sometimes able to share with others) of the principles taught therein. Thanks again. What a great thought!
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