BYU’s Jenet Erickson on the divine design of the family and 'The Family Proclamation'

September 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” which proclaims that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”

On this episode of the Church News podcast, reporter Mary Richards continues the discussion of “The Family Proclamation,” as she is joined by Jenet Erickson, an associate professor of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Erickson teaches, researches and presents on the family as a fellow of both the Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies. Together they discuss the divine design of the family, mothers’ well-being and how the proclamation’s principles promote family stability and happiness.

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Hosts Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of the Church News, and Church News reporter Mary Richards share unique views of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.