A remarkable shift is unfolding in the U.S. this year as truth finds its way back into national discussions. Even some fashion brands are reverting to featuring attractive individuals in their advertising campaigns. It is refreshing to witness common sense making a comeback, and for this, we can be grateful. However, this isn’t the moment to rest on our laurels. We must continue to push forward with cultural efforts while the momentum is on our side. Just last week, another step was taken in Leavenworth County, Kansas.

As I mentioned last month, on July 9th, I presented a proposal to the county commission, suggesting that July be declared Traditional Family Month in this semi-rural locale. This area has become a focal point for a persistent group of activists aiming to establish a model for small-town transformation nationwide. The commissioners listened to my proposal and commendably decided to include it in their discussions.

For those of us who live by natural law, there is no need for special acknowledgments for recognizing objective truths. We don’t seek special events or parades. Our lives reflect the basic truths of human design through everyday celebrations like birthdays, baby showers, and weddings. By living naturally, we don’t need to proclaim ‘normal’ to convince others.

Our request for the government to acknowledge the virtues of traditional family life doesn’t stem from a desire to become a special interest group. Instead, it acknowledges that one of the government’s key responsibilities is to promote virtue. Encouraging the county commission to embrace this role gave them a chance to declare truth in contrast to other governments, businesses, and institutions that may promote vice.

The commission embraced this challenge, passing the proclamation with a 4-1 vote on July 30th, designating August as Traditional Family Month in Leavenworth, Kansas. This achievement can guide other regions, demonstrating that it’s possible to encourage lawmakers to uphold righteousness.

While the victory in Leavenworth is significant, and similar success can be achieved elsewhere, expect opposition. The proposal was debated over four commission meetings, generating numerous negative comments on the local newspaper’s social media platforms. Detractors also attended meetings to voice their objections in person.

Barbara Williams came on the day of the vote armed with every Marxist quip in the book. Her dark claims included that the traditional family evokes exclusivity, oppression, Christian Nationalism, and even the KKK. The sin of envy drives such hyperbolic arguments.

In her book Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age, former feminist professor and lesbian-turned-Christian wife, homemaker, and apologist Dr. Rosaria Butterfield points out that those trapped by transgressive lies depart not just from morality, but from the very pattern of creation. Sexual revolutionaries portray a movement based in joy. 

Yet their actions demonstrate anger because they want the full blessings that can only come from living according to nature’s pattern, without holding themselves accountable to it. The hopelessness of that impossible pursuit drives them from one disappointment to another, evoking outrage. In contrast, the pattern set through traditional family structure has perpetuated civilization throughout all of human history. Nature itself replenishes our ranks. We need no fallacious arguments about certain behaviors among wild beasts to justify disordered lifestyle and behavioral choices among humans. Such illogical attempts are made in desperation by those who cannot form a logical defense for self-destructive choices.

The structure of the traditional family elevates all and remains extraordinarily inclusive. The stability of this time-tested model also blesses adopted children and echoes in the hearts of all, regardless of household situation. 

The scientific data on this is conclusive and matches what every honest person can clearly observe: the traditional family is the foundation upon which stable societies are built. Government officials who value the latter must necessarily encourage the former. But it takes prodding to rebuild political consensus based on accurately defined morality. Thus, people who value truth must now get off the sidelines and into your courthouses, legislative halls, and town squares—whether physical or online. We just scored a victory here. Now is your time to go and do likewise in your place, at this time.

Author’s note: The version of the proclamation our county commissioners passed differs significantly from the initial proposal, but retains the proper spirit. Commissioners chose to remove statistical references to negative outcomes associated with children who grow up without a stable two-parent home, and understandably added language to show support for single parents whose plight is not driven by deliberate choice to pursue an alternative lifestyle. The final language approved by the Leavenworth County Commission is below.

Proclamation

Whereas, traditional families, consisting of a natural mother and father, children and extended family have been a cornerstone of society, fostering security, stability, and values of citizenship for millennia—as noted by the International Federal for Family Development: “children in healthy, married, two-parent families are more likely to lead happy, successful lives… Families are the most powerful, human, and economical system for building competence and character;”

And

Whereas, the freedom to uphold these values, rooted in the laws of nature and protected by the U.S. Constitution is vital to societal well-being;

And

Whereas traditional families have declined with only 17.8% of Americans living in nuclear families today, compared to 77.5 of children living with married parents in 1960. While single person’s households rose from 13% in 1960 to 25% in 2018, divorce rates increased from 27% 1950 to 45% today, and birth to unmarried women rose from 5% in 1960 to 40% now. 

And 

Whereas courageous single parents benefit from the sort of strong families and communities thrive when traditional family values are celebrate and nurture the next generation. 

And 

Whereas we need to return to the values of traditional family that made America a strong nation for all history. 

Now therefore, the Leavenworth County Commissioners declared the month of August 2025 to be traditional family values month, to bring attention to traditional families and challenges they face. 

Signed this day by Mike Smith, 

Chairman of Leavenworth County Board of Commissioner