On September 23, 2025, in a devotional commemorating the 30th anniversary of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Elder Clark G. Gilbert and his wife Christine Gilbert addressed students at BYU-Idaho, bearing their testimonies of the importance of eternal families. They began by showing a short video introduction titled “Meet the Gilberts” in which Elder Gilbert declared, “We are in a season in our society where the family is under attack. The world is sending mixed signals; it’s sending mistruths, and in the middle of that, we come with truth and light here in the restored gospel.”
Briefly mentioning the plethora of scientific data supporting marriage and traditional families, the Gilberts asserted, quoting Elder D. Todd Christofferson, that “[their] claims rest not on social science but on the truth that [marriage and family] are God’s creation.”
Together, the Gilberts promised that “[by looking] to the Savior in the Family Proclamation, you will see yourself in God’s plan for His family and learn more of His plan for your eternal family.”
Elder Gilbert then outlined three ways the Savior is found in the Family Proclamation: first, covenants and ordinances bind us to Christ and to our families; second, we can find happiness through the teachings of Jesus Christ; and third, sacrifices required by marital and parenting roles help us to become more like the Savior.
Sister Gilbert acknowledged those who seek to begin a family but are unable to do so in this life. She spoke of her Aunt Janet, who remained unmarried throughout her life despite faithfully keeping her covenants. Sister Gilbert bore witness of temple covenants that bind families for eternity and reaffirmed President Nelson’s promise that “no blessing will be withheld from His faithful saints.”
Addressing the young women in the audience, Sister Gilbert shared her own experience raising children and the fulfillment it brought to her life. She urged them not to believe the false narratives of the world that insist marriage and parenting “will diminish and lessen [their] worth.”
Addressing the young men, Elder Gilbert emphasized their responsibility to receive an education and provide for a family. “But,” he continued, “your first responsibility will always be as a husband, father, and priesthood holder.” Elder Gilbert shared his own experience “over-investing” in work responsibilities at Deseret News and recalled the counsel he received from President Boyd K. Packer at that time: “Brother Gilbert, you will lead this media group for a season, but you will be a husband and a father for eternity.”
The Gilberts concluded with their witness that Christ is central to the Family Proclamation and reaffirmed that, through Him, we can find joy, connection, and belonging in God’s family.
Cover Photo Source: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-and-sister-gilbert-share-3-ways-to-find-christ-in-the-family-proclamation
