Podcast Summary: “The Family is Ordained of God” | Ronald A. Rasband | BYU Speeches

Podcast: BYU Speeches
Speaker: Elder Ronald A. Rasband (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Date: September 24, 2025
Episode Theme: Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Elder Rasband counsels students and listeners on the current importance, promises, and principles found in the Proclamation, emphasizing family, faith, and following Jesus Christ amidst turbulent times.

OVERVIEW

Elder Ronald A. Rasband speaks to the BYU community in a time marked by tragedy and cultural turbulence, reaffirming the eternal significance of the family as taught in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." Marking 30 years since its presentation, Elder Rasband shares prophetic insights, personal stories, and direct invitations to prioritize faith, peacemaking, and Christ-centered living within our families and lives. He stresses the enduring importance of the Proclamation for individuals, church members, and society at large, especially during times of instability and shifting values.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Condemning Violence and a Call for Peacemaking

Addressing Recent Tragedy and the Need for Compassion

• Elder Rasband opens by referencing a recent act of violence affecting the local community, extending prayers and solidarity (00:22).
• Quote:

  “We affirm our repeated calls to seek peace and unity despite our differences. Jesus Christ teaches us to love one another, that hate is wrong, and that human life is sacred.” (01:40)

• Cautions listeners to “commit your heart, your hands, your mind and strength” to following prophetic counsel, becoming a light and a peacemaker (03:00-04:00).
• Recounts personal revelatory experience:
  • The phrase “think celestial, letting thy Spirit prevail in our lives and strive to be peacemakers always” was added to a temple dedicatory prayer by spiritual prompting (04:35).
  • Quote:

    “In that revelation, the Lord was reminding me to heed the words of our living prophet—think celestial. Let God prevail and peacemakers needed.” (05:10)

2. Historical Witness: The Proclamation’s Origin and Relevance

30 Years of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World"

• Marks the anniversary of the Proclamation’s original presentation on September 23, 1995 (06:05).

• Explains the process that led to its creation, involving careful, prophetic deliberation by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (06:55-08:10).

• Quote:

  “The Church... has issued only six proclamations in its history. The two most recent are the Family Proclamation in 1995 and the Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, A Bicentennial Proclamation to the world in 2020. I was a part of the Quorum of the Twelve’s preparation of the sixth proclamation on the Restoration and I bear my witness... that the Lord chooses the time and guides the sacred process.” (08:15)

• Asserts ongoing doctrinal status and timelessness of the Proclamation.

• Dallin H. Oaks:

  “The Proclamation on the Family is a statement of eternal truth, the will of the Lord for His children who seek eternal life. Consider it as such, teach it, live by it, and you will be blessed.” (09:18)

3. The Proclamation as a Global Standard

• Discusses how the Proclamation has been shared with world leaders, religious and civic groups, and in a Vatican gathering (09:50-10:20).
• Emphasizes that the document is both a personal and societal guide meant for all of humanity.

4. Key Words and Principles from the Proclamation

Elder Rasband’s Five Words: Family, Creator, Eternal Destiny, Children, Happiness

a. Family (11:25)

• All belong to a family—of various forms; the Proclamation’s call is universal.
• Shares personal, tender family experiences dealing with hardship, birth, and loss (13:40-15:05).
• Quote:

  “We stand together, brothers and sisters, in the hard times as well as the good ones, because that’s what we as families do.” (15:00)

• Stresses the unbreakable, eternal connection as “beloved spirit, son or daughter of heavenly parents” (16:00).
• Urges listeners:

  “Decide right now to put the Lord Jesus Christ at the center of your family. ... And as you set your course, do not let building a career take the place of building a family.” (17:28)

b. Creator (18:40)

• God as the Creator provides the plan of happiness and salvation.
• Stresses living faithful to God’s plan through covenants, temple worship, and faithfulness.
• Commends BYU’s unique setting—where spiritual and intellectual pursuits are intertwined (20:35).
• Quote:

  “You have more in your backpack than books. You have an honor code, scriptures for your religion class, a temple recommend and room for the Holy Ghost to be with you.” (20:55)

c. Eternal Destiny (22:20)

• Mortality is but one phase of an eternal journey; our destiny is exaltation.
• Warns that Satan seeks to disrupt God’s plan by targeting families (23:42).
• Quote:

  “Everyone is vulnerable in the days and years ahead. You are going to need the greater discernment and commitment found in the proclamation to progress toward perfection and become heirs of eternal life.” (24:55)

• Cites Henry B. Eyring:

  “...Whoever we are, however difficult our circumstances, we can know that what our Father commands we do to qualify for the blessings of eternal life. And they will not be beyond us.” (25:28)

d. Children (26:13)

• Each person is a child of loving heavenly parents, with a unique role and place.
• Shares a personal mission call story: disappointed not to be called to Germany like family members, but later saw divine purpose in being called to the Eastern States; a spiritual lesson in trust (26:40-28:29).
• Quote:

  “We are the children of a Father in heaven who has a place in his plan just for us. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto Thine own understanding and he shall direct thy paths all the way home to eternity.” (28:12)

e. Happiness (28:32)

• True happiness comes from following Jesus Christ.
• Quote from the Proclamation:

  “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (28:38)

• Practical suggestions from the Proclamation: faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreation.
• Encourages all to expect spiritual impressions on how to become more Christlike and prioritize joy.

5. Testimony & Apostolic Blessing (29:41)

• Elder Rasband testifies of the divine origin of the Proclamation:

  “I know the Proclamation is the Lord’s plan for the eternal destiny of all of his children. ... It was inspired 30 years ago and it continues to inspire us today if we are faithful to its words.”

• Apostolic Blessing:
  • Listeners are blessed to feel encircled by the Savior, healed by His atonement, strengthened in testimony, and to “know the family is ordained of God and He is ever with you.”
  • Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• On Peacemaking:
  “You can be the light that shineth in darkness, the light that reflects the love of Jesus Christ for all—all of His children.” (03:15)
• On Prioritizing Family over Ambition:
  “Do not let building a career take the place of building a family.” (17:41)
• On Vulnerability and the Need for Discernment:
  “Everyone is vulnerable in the days and years ahead. You are going to need the greater discernment and commitment found in the proclamation.” (24:55)
• Personal Spiritual Guidance:
  “The Lord knew what he was doing. ... For thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.” (27:32)
• On True Happiness:
  “The answer to finding happiness is always Jesus Christ.” (28:38)

IMPORTANT SEGMENTS & TIMESTAMPS

• [00:22] — Introduction & Addressing Recent Tragedy
• [04:35] — Revelation at Temple Dedication; “Think Celestial, Be Peacemakers”
• [06:05] — 30th Anniversary of The Family Proclamation
• [08:15] — The Process and Divine Timing of Church Proclamations
• [11:25] — “Words That Matter” from the Proclamation: Family, Creator, Eternal Destiny, Children, Happiness
• [13:40] — Family: Personal Story of Loss and Support
• [18:40] — God as Creator and Student Spirituality at BYU
• [22:20] — Premortal Life, Satan’s Attacks, and Our Destiny
• [26:40] — Mission Call & Trusting God’s Plan
• [28:32] — Happiness, Practical Guidance for Families
• [29:41] — Testimony & Apostolic Blessing

CONCLUSION

Elder Rasband’s address is both a heartfelt commemoration of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and a stirring call to embrace its principles today. He urges listeners to think celestially, prioritize family, follow Christ, and trust in God’s individual plan. In his testimony and blessing, he promises spiritual support, joy, and the protective power of living and teaching the truths found in the Family Proclamation—timeless counsel for an ever-changing world.