Hello, Doer of the word! Let's dive into the invitations from Elder Ronald A. Rasband's October 2025 General Conference address, "The Family Proclamation—Words from God."
Invitations
"The proclamation has a divine origin, so we must treat it with the reverence deserving words from God. Remember, brothers and sisters, as I said in a previous general conference from this very pulpit, 'Words matter.'"
Application Idea: Memorize The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
Janessa Orgill responded to this newsletter as follows: "My family set the goal to memorize the Family Proclamation a few years ago, so I put it to music. And even my little four-year-old at the time did it! These recordings are far from perfect but maybe could help you with memorizing it." Here's the YouTube link. Thank you, Janessa!
"The proclamation is a call for us to live in mortality ever mindful of the divinity within us and the eternal future that lies before us. ... In the first verse of the first chapter [of the Book of Mormon], we read, 'I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents.' How many of us have started the Book of Mormon—and started again and again—and in the process committed those words to memory? Commit them to heart."
Application Idea: Draw closer to Heavenly Father by learning more about Him. Start by studying all the resources listed under "God the Father" in Topics and Questions.
"For those with concerns, know that you are a child of heavenly parents, part of your Heavenly Father’s family. No one knows you better or cares more deeply about you than He does. Turn to Him; pour out your heart to Him; trust Him and His promises. ... Turn to [Jesus Christ]; trust He will send the Holy Ghost to be with you, lift you, and guide you."
Application Idea: Elder Rasband said: "Some of you may reflect on the proclamation and say, 'This isn’t working for me.' 'It seems insensitive.' 'My family doesn’t look like that.' 'I don’t fit.'" In addition to turning to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as Elder Rasband invites, also consider and act on this counsel from President Russell M. Nelson: "Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources. ... Stop increasing your doubts by rehearsing them with other doubters." Discuss your concerns with your bishop or branch president, with your quorum or organization president, and/or with your ministering brothers and sisters. We all have questions - and we can support each other as we seek for answers to those questions.
"Stay with [the Lord's Apostles]. You live in challenging times when the adversary seeks to make you his. Do not be drawn off. And if you are, come back. Our arms reach out to you, as will those of others who love you."
Application Idea: Learn more about the Lord's Apostles. Study their public addresses (you're going to like this resource!). Listen to the Prophet's words every day (see our weekly Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice Newsletter). Whether you want to admit it or not, you are being influenced by someone. Consider how your life might be different if you paid more attention to the Lord's Apostles (see our weekly General Conference+ Newsletter).
"As each of our children is now married, Sister Rasband and I have continued to counsel them and their spouses on how to be equal partners."
Application Idea: There are three public scholarship articles and one audio article listed under the American Families of Faith Project's interactive resource for the phrase "In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." Study these four resources (note that the audio article is an audio version of one of the public scholarship articles) with your spouse, identify areas where one or both of you can improve, and set concrete goals for how this improvement will happen.
"With all my soul, I plead with you to live close to [Heavenly Father] and His Beloved Son."
Application Idea: Where might your prayers need improvement? Study "Prayer" in the Guide to the Scriptures - including all the accompanying verses of scripture - and journal about what changes need to be made to your prayers so that you can "live closer" to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Additional Resources
Download a copy of these invitations: Google Sheets | PDF. If you use these resources as a handout in Church, use the PDF (it prints prettier) and please invite the members of your ward to subscribe to the General Conference Applied newsletter and podcast!
General Conference Applied S6 E19. Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube. This short podcast episode is an audio / video version of this newsletter.
General Conference Applied S6 E20. Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube. Featuring Dr. David Dollahite, a BYU professor and expert on the Family Proclamation. Dr. Dollahite ("Dave") has spent decades studying, researching, and teaching and writing about families and the Family Proclamation. Dave and his colleague, Dr. Loren Marks, also lead the American Families of Faith Project.
External Resources Shared In This Episode:
"God's Tender Mercies: Sacred Experiences of a Mormon Convert" by David C. Dollahite (Dave's "Spiritual Autobiography")
"Preside, Provide, Protect, and Partner: Fathers and the Family Proclamation" by David C. Dollahite and Loren D. Marks. March 24, 2025, Public Square Magazine
"Strengthening Our Families - An In-Depth Look At the Proclamation on the Family" by David C. Dollahite
"Helping and Healing Our Families: Principles and Practices inspired by "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"" by Craig H. Hart, Lloyd D. Newell, Elaine F. Walton, and David C. Dollahite
"Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives" by Alan J. Hawkins, David C. Dollahite, and Thomas W. Draper
This document includes the text of The Family: A Proclamation to the World with hyperlinks to materials produced by the American Families of Faith Project that in some way address various phrases in the Proclamation. The materials include about 115 articles published in scholarly social science journals, 45 chapters in books, 40 “public scholarship” articles published in newspapers or online magazines, 10 podcasts, 25 audio articles, 50 videos, and 400 posts on social media.
"The Best Practices—and Benefits—of Religious Parenting" by David C. Dollahite, Loren D. Marks, and Hal Boyd. February 6, 2020, Public Discourse
"Receiving the Eternal", David C. Dollahite, September 27, 2016, BYU Devotional
"The Need for a Church", President Dallin H. Oaks, October 2021 General Conference
Take Action
Clay's Application: Study the final chapter of Dr. David Dollahite's book "Strengthening Our Families: An In-Depth Look at the Proclamation on the Family." This chapter, which was written by Laura E. Gilpin, is entitled: "Additional Activities to Assist in the Application of Proclamation Principles."
Mitch's Application: I will memorize The Family: A Proclamation to the World prior to the recording of our Return and Report episode on Elder Rasband's address (likely in mid-February 2026). And since he extended the invitation to me, I'm going to pass off the memorized text with Dr. David Dollahite!
Your Application: Reply to this email and tell us how you'll take action on one of these invitations and whether we can share your response in our newsletter, podcast, and/or on social media.
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