Answer

Can I Live the Family Proclamation If I’m Single?

Maybe you believe deeply in marriage and family but wonder where you fit in The Family: A Proclamation to the World while you are single. Can its teachings really apply to you before you have a spouse or children? They can. To see how, it helps to remember that God’s plan is not only about forming your own family. It is also about helping His children and strengthening families around you.

Eternal Truths

You can support God’s pattern for family even when you are not married. The Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that mothers and fathers have sacred responsibilities. Those teachings matter whether you currently hold those roles or not.

Jesus taught His disciples to care about children. When His disciples were arguing about who was greatest, Jesus placed a child among them and taught that receiving a child in His name was connected with receiving Him (Matthew 18:1–5). He was helping them look beyond status and pay attention to someone who needed care. You do not need to be a parent before you can encourage, teach, notice, and strengthen children.

Families are also blessed by good people around them. A faithful aunt, uncle, teacher, coach, ministering brother or sister, neighbor, or ward member does not replace a mother or father. But a dependable adult can reinforce the love and truth parents are trying to teach at home.

What Can Make This Confusing?

Sometimes single adults begin to feel that family doctrine is mainly for married people with children. On the other hand, helping families does not mean pretending that parents and other adults have the same role. Both truths can be honored.

What Research Shows

A meta-analysis of 30 studies found that young people who had a supportive adult mentor outside their immediate parents tended to have better outcomes. The quality of the relationship mattered especially for social-emotional and academic or vocational development (study).

Questions to Think About

• Which children or teenagers are already part of my life?
• Where could I support parents without trying to take their place?
• What kind of influence am I becoming for younger people around me?

What You Can Do

Think of one young person or family you already know and offer something specific this week. It could be encouragement, homework help, a meal, a ride, or simply taking time to listen and show that you care.

Jesus Christ can use the relationships already around you to bless His children while He continues to guide your own future.