100 Years Later & Family Is Still Important!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Elder Quentin L. Cook (from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles) stated: "How we preserve time for family is one of the most significant issues of our time." Which leads me to my topic for the day: Family Home Evening! The reason I chose to talk about this topic is because 100 years ago President Joseph F. Smith (6th President of The LDS Church) stated: “We advise and urge the inauguration of a ‘Home Evening’ throughout the church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord. …

“This ‘Home Evening’ should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel, and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation. For the smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared in the home might be served."

Family is central to The Lord's plan for us- no wonder He asks us to gather weekly as families to council together, learn, grow, share experiences, study His divine word, laugh, and make precious memories. It makes sense: if you are to spend eternity with these people we call our family, don't you want to have a strong desire to serve them and love them like The Savior would? That is what Family Home Evening is all about.

Family home evening has blessed my life and the life of many families around the world. Family home evening is exactly that: a night with you family! Yes, it is not always easy, but anything we don't have to make a sacrifice for isn't worth much to us. I was once told by a close friend: "We sacrifice things for what we love and we love what we sacrifice things for." If we are sacrificing "our" time for our families and for God: we will learn to love each other and our Heavenly Father more deeply and unconditionally.

In closing I want to share with you two pages that might help you and your families with family home evening ideas!
100 years of Family Home Evening
Family Home Evening

I just want to testify to you that I know that taking time for our families is such a blessing and strength. This program to spend time with our families is truly Heaven sent. Even though some nights it will end in discouragement and despair I plead with you to never give up. Always keep trying. The lessons you are teaching, the activities you are having, the scriptures you are reading: they are changing your children's lives. You are learning and drawing closer to the Savior together. "A family that prays together, stays together." By gathering weekly for personal family time, you are truly testifying to the Lord that you want to stay together with you family. Pray together daily as this helps you stay even stronger. Heavenly Father is pleased with you and your efforts to follow His prophets council. I know that this is true,
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha