Essay

The Proclamation's Call to Citizens

Maybe you are sitting in class when someone says that mothers and fathers are interchangeable. Maybe a friend asks what you actually believe about marriage or sexuality. Maybe everyone in your group chat seems to agree on a family issue and you are not sure whether to say anything. Or maybe you see something on social media and wonder, Should I speak up, or is it better to stay quiet?

Those are the kinds of everyday situations behind the final invitation in The Family: A Proclamation to the World: “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.”

So what does that look like if you are a college student, a young professional, or simply someone trying to follow Jesus Christ in a culture where your beliefs about marriage and family may not always be popular?

It usually starts much closer to home than politics. Being a responsible citizen means learning what God has taught about the family, understanding the issues that affect it, and being willing to use the influence you already have—in conversations, classrooms, social media, friendships, voting, and your community—to strengthen marriage, children, mothers, fathers, and family life.

You do not need to argue about everything or become the loudest person in the room. But you also do not need to hide what you believe. Millions of other young Christians share many of these convictions, and you can learn to speak about them with confidence, clarity, and respect.

Scripture Gives Us a Pattern for Speaking Up

The scriptures are filled with people who had to decide whether to stay quiet or speak when something important was at stake.

The Lord sent Moses directly to Pharaoh and told him to “stand before Pharaoh” and say, “Let my people go” (Exodus 8:20). Esther approached the king when the lives of her people were in danger, even though doing so required enormous courage (Esther 5:1–3). Paul stood before King Agrippa and respectfully explained what he believed and why (Acts 26:1–3, 6).

Most of us will never face circumstances that dramatic. But there is a useful pattern in each story: they understood what mattered, went where decisions were being made, and spoke.

Paul received especially direct counsel while teaching in Corinth. After facing opposition, the Lord told him in a vision, “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee” (Acts 18:9–10).

The Lord was not telling Paul to become argumentative. He was telling him not to let fear decide whether he would speak.

That is still useful counsel.

Why Does the Family Proclamation Ask Citizens to Act?

The final sentence of the Family Proclamation comes after teachings about marriage, children, chastity, mothers and fathers, parental responsibilities, and the principles that help families succeed.

Then the proclamation turns outward and asks citizens and government leaders to help strengthen the family.

There is a reason for that. Families affect much more than the people living under one roof. They shape children, schools, neighborhoods, communities, and eventually whole societies. That is why the proclamation calls the family the “fundamental unit of society.”

So part of responsible citizenship is learning to ask thoughtful questions about decisions being made around you. How might this affect children? Does it help parents fulfill their responsibilities? Does it strengthen marriage and family stability? Does it protect the ability of families to live and teach their beliefs?

Not every proposal will be simple, and not everything labeled “family friendly” necessarily accomplishes the same good. Responsible citizenship starts with understanding an issue well enough to make a thoughtful judgment.

Former CBS News Anchor Jane Clayson Johnson Decided to Raise Her Hand

Jane Clayson Johnson was used to speaking in public. Before stepping away from network television, she worked as an ABC News correspondent and later co-anchored CBS’s The Early Show.

But years later, she found herself in a very different setting where speaking up for what she believed felt surprisingly difficult.

Jane was sitting in a meeting with smart, influential decision-makers when the conversation turned to diversity. As the discussion continued, she felt that religious faith and culture were being pushed aside.

She later described the choice she faced:

“Do I sit silently, ‘in camouflage,’ as others define an issue or a conversation? Or do I stand up for my beliefs, defend my values and articulate a position that’s not only in the minority, but unappreciated and even ‘politically incorrect’?” —Jane Clayson Johnson

Jane raised her hand.

She could feel herself shaking. Her words were not perfectly polished. But she respectfully explained that if they really wanted diversity, people of faith needed to be included in the conversation too.

She went home glad she had spoken, but also wondering whether people would now label or distance themselves from her.

Then the emails came.

One person thanked her for bringing another kind of diversity into the discussion. Another wrote, “Can I sit by you next time?”

Jane realized that although she had felt like the only person willing to speak, she had not actually been alone. Other people had agreed but had stayed quiet.

Her conclusion was simple: “We cannot and must not be afraid to stand alone.” She connected that courage to the baptismal covenant to “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9).

Sometimes strengthening what is good in society may look exactly like that. You listen. You think carefully. And when something important needs to be said, you raise your hand.

President Nelson Said Discipleship Is 24/7

President Russell M. Nelson taught young adults that Christian discipleship cannot be limited to Sunday.

He said:

“Your religion is not just about showing up for church on Sunday. It is about showing up as a true disciple from Sunday morning through Saturday night—24/7!”

Speaking specifically about marriage, he told young disciples that their strength of character was needed and expressed confidence that they could proclaim God’s truth “with clarity and kindness, even when His truth is politically unpopular.”

That combination matters: clarity and kindness.

Some disciples may eventually work in law, education, medicine, media, research, government, or social services. Others may never work in any of those fields. Your influence may be much closer to home—a college class, neighborhood conversation, workplace discussion, social-media post, or email to a legislator.

The point is not that every Christian has to become a political activist. It is that following Jesus Christ should shape what we do with the influence we already have.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught that now is a time to “actively and enthusiastically seek, teach, and live by truth” and that the need to defend truth is growing.

Sometimes Speaking Up Can Feel Lonely

Elder Neil L. Andersen once shared the experience of a young Latter-day Saint woman whose friends began posting their support for same-sex marriage online.

She decided to state her own belief in marriage between a man and a woman.

The response came quickly. Some called her selfish and judgmental. Even a friend who was a member of the Church told her she needed to “catch up with the times.”

She did not start fighting with people.

But she did not remove what she believed either.

Watch Elder Andersen share her experience:

There is something useful in both parts of her response. She was willing to speak, and she was also willing to let other people disagree without turning the conversation into a fight.

Courage does not require contention.

Why Staying Quiet Can Start to Feel Easier

It is understandable why many people would rather stay away from public issues.

Politics can be exhausting. Social media often rewards anger. Saying something unpopular can affect friendships or make class, work, and family conversations uncomfortable. It can seem much easier to believe something privately and let someone else speak.

But if people who care deeply about marriage, children, religious freedom, mothers, fathers, or family stability consistently decide that speaking is too uncomfortable, those perspectives can slowly disappear from public conversations.

The adversary does not always need to persuade someone to stop believing truth. Sometimes discouraging a disciple from ever speaking about it can accomplish plenty.

That does not mean you should comment on every controversy. Wisdom includes knowing when to speak, when to listen, and when an issue does not require your voice.

The important thing is that fear should not always make that decision for you.

Priscilla Shirer teaches about the courage to live openly for Christ even when doing so brings pressure:

You can be respectful without becoming vague about what you believe.

Does One Person’s Voice Really Matter?

It is easy to assume that one email, petition, vote, comment in class, or social-media post will not make much difference.

Research suggests ordinary civic participation matters more than we sometimes think.

In Pew Research Center’s study The Internet and Civic Engagement, 49 percent of Americans reported taking some kind of action on an issue important to them during the previous year. That included contacting an official, signing a petition, or speaking publicly about an issue.

Among people who contacted a government official directly by phone, letter, or in person, about two-thirds received a response.

Researchers Joakim Ekman and Erik Amnå also point out that participation goes beyond elections. Ordinary citizens can sign or organize petitions, share information, make purchasing choices based on ethical convictions, support organizations, and use other lawful ways to influence institutions and leaders.

Pew’s international research on political engagement around the world found another useful pattern: people with more education were often more likely to become involved in public issues.

There is a practical lesson in that.

Before trying to speak more, learn more.

The better you understand an issue, the more useful your voice can become.

What Might This Look Like for You?

For most young adults, strengthening the family probably will not begin at a city-council meeting. It may begin in a classroom, a group chat, a conversation with friends, or something you decide to post—or not post—on social media.

You may be sitting in a college class when someone says that mothers and fathers are interchangeable, marriage is mainly about adult happiness, or traditional Christian beliefs about family are outdated. You do not need to turn the class into a debate. But you can raise your hand and respectfully add another point of view.

A friend may ask what you actually believe about marriage, children, or sexuality. You can answer instead of changing the subject because you are worried the conversation might become awkward.

On social media, you might share something thoughtful about marriage or family rather than only liking posts from people who already agree with you. You might comment respectfully when you have something useful to add. Sometimes your example will look more like the young woman Elder Andersen described: you state what you believe without attacking anyone, and you do not panic when someone disagrees.

And remember something that can be easy to forget when your feed, classroom, or friend group makes you feel like the only one: you are not alone in believing these things. Millions of other young Christians believe that marriage between a man and a woman matters, that children need mothers and fathers, that sexual intimacy belongs within marriage, and that family is part of God’s design. Many of them are learning to speak about those convictions with confidence instead of embarrassment. You are part of a much larger community of disciples than the people immediately around you may suggest.

As your opportunities grow, your involvement can grow too. You might:

• speak respectfully when family or marriage comes up in class;
• answer a friend’s sincere question instead of hiding what you believe;
• share thoughtful Christian or family content on social media;
• support another young person who speaks up and suddenly feels alone;
• join or help organize a campus or community group that strengthens marriage, family, children, or religious freedom;
• sign a petition or send a short, respectful message to an elected official;
• learn what is on your ballot and vote when you are eligible;
• use what you are studying—law, education, medicine, business, social work, communications, research, or something else—to bring a family perspective into your future work.

You do not need to become the person who argues about everything. In fact, that would probably make your influence smaller, not greater. Learn to recognize the moments when something worthwhile needs to be said, and become increasingly comfortable saying it.

And there is another part of strengthening the family that happens much closer to home. Be the friend who respects dating and marriage. Treat your parents and siblings well. Keep commitments. Learn to apologize and forgive. Prepare yourself to build a strong marriage and family someday.

Speaking for strong families is most convincing when people can also see the good those beliefs are helping you build in your own life.

A Few Questions Worth Thinking About

• Are there issues affecting families in my community, school, workplace, or online spaces that I would benefit from understanding better?
• When I decide not to speak, what is influencing that choice—wisdom, lack of information, or fear of how people might respond?
• Where might my education, work, friendships, or experience give me something useful to contribute?
• How can I become better at explaining what I believe in a way that is clear, thoughtful, and respectful?

What Can You Do This Week?

Start with one place where you already have influence—a class, friend group, social-media account, campus organization, workplace, or community.

Learn a little more about one issue connected to marriage, children, parents, or family. You do not have to know everything before you speak, but make sure you understand enough to represent the issue fairly and explain why it matters.

Then take one small step. Share something thoughtful. Ask a sincere question in class. Support someone else who speaks up. Have the conversation you have been avoiding. Write a respectful email. Register to vote or learn what will be on your next ballot.

Finally, read Acts 18:9–10 and think about the Lord’s words to Paul: “Be not afraid, but speak.” Ask Heavenly Father to help you recognize when those words apply to you.

Jesus Christ does not need every disciple to have the same platform, profession, or role in public life. He does ask us to live our covenants wherever we are.

You can become informed, listen carefully, and treat people with respect. You can remember that many other faithful Christians are standing for these truths too. And when something important to marriage, children, or family needs a thoughtful voice, you can have the courage to add yours.