A high-level official of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presented a copy of the Church's Proclamation on the Family to the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Mr Danny Philip, in a brief ceremony on Friday, 21st January, 2011.
Elder Dirk Smibert, of the Seventy, and other Church representatives were greeted in the home of the Prime Minister where Mr. Philip was presented with the family document and a statue of the family. The Seventy are a group of Church leaders who lead the Church in international countries under the direction of the worldwide president of the Church, Thomas S. Monson, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who are located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The proclamation presented to Mr. Philip describes the strong emphasis the Church places on family relationships. Proclaimed in 1995 by then Church president, Gordon B. Hinckley, and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it says that the family is ordained of God and that husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. It also calls 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.
In expressing his pleasure at receiving the family items, Mr. Philip said, "the family unit is representative of the unity needed in our nation. This statuette will be a reminder that the family is the basis upon which to build a united and strong people."
Elder Smibert said he was very appreciative of the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister once more.