Translate
Encouraging Enjoyable Family Activities
From Jenny’s Files!
“If you will gather your Children around you once a week and instruct them in the gospel, they will not go astray.” Joseph F. Smith (quoted by David B. Haight at April 1972 General Conference)
“Here are the promised blessings for those who will hold a weekly home evening: ‘If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them.’ (First Presidency, April 27, 1915, in Improvement Era 18:733-34.)” Ezra Taft Benson “God, Family, Country” p. 228
“I like to compare the home evening, family prayer, and other associated activities of the Church for the saving of the family, when they are conscientiously carried out, with an umbrella. If the umbrella is not opened up, it is little more than a cane and can give little protection from the storms of nature. Likewise, God-given plans are of little value unless they are used.” Spencer W. Kimball General Conference, October 1969
“I wonder if having casual and infrequent family home evening will be enough in the future to fortify our Children with sufficient moral strength. In the future, infrequent family scripture study may be inadequate to arm our Children with the virtue necessary to withstand the moral decay of the environment in which they will live. Where in the world will the Children learn chastity, integrity honesty, and basic human decency if not at home. These values will, of course, be reinforced at church, but parental teaching is more constant.” Elder James E. Faust “The Greatest Challenge In The World–Good Parenting” General Conference, October 1990
“As we faithfully hold quality family home evenings, we ‘will gain strength to withstand the temptations of the world and will receive many blessings which will help qualify [us] to enjoy [our] families through eternity in the Celestial Kingdom’ (the First Presidency, Family Home Evening, manual, 1978, p. 2). If the prophet bid us do some great thing for so great a blessing, would we do it? Holding regular family home evening is such a small thing we can do to obtain these great blessings.” Elder Rex D. Pinegar “The Simple Things” General Conference, October
Teach your families in family home evening, teach them to keep the
commandments of God, for therein is our safety in these days! Harold B. Lee (April 1973 General Conference Report, page 181) “Success in family life calls for parents who take time to enjoy their Children; who read with them; who play with them; who let them participate in planning special occasions, seeking to make wholesome family traditions a proud part of family life.” ElRay L. Christiansen “Successful Parenthood - A Noteworthy Accomplishment” General Conference, April 1972
Seek to establish an environment conducive to study in the home. It is the home, which produces the nursery stock of new generations. I hope that you mothers will realize that when all is said and done you have no more compelling responsibility, nor any laden with greater rewards, than the nurture you give your Children in an environment of security, peace, companionship, love and motivation to grow and do well. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Sep 1995, Relief Society Meeting)
Consider the difference in Children who are cuddled and snuggled by parents at bedtime as they listen to stories from good books, and then kneel at their bedside in prayer, as compared to those who go to bed after having viewed a violent television program. Marvin J. Ashton (November 1977 Ensign, page 72)
I am convinced that one of the greatest things that can come into any home to cause the boys and girls in that home to grow up in a love of God and in a love of the gospel of Jesus Christ is to have family prayer; not for the father of the family alone to pray, but for the mother and for the Children to do so also, that they may partake of the spirit of prayer and be . . . in communication with the Spirit of the Lord. Heber J. Grant (October 1923 General Conference Report, page 7-8)
If you have any doubt about the virtue of family home evening, try it. Gather your Children about you, teach them, bear testimony to them, read the scriptures together and have a good time together Gordon B. Hinckley, Promontory Branch, Utah, Oct 15, 1995)
Family prayer is the greatest deterrent to sin, and hence the most beneficent provider of joy and happiness. The old saying is yet true: “The family that prays together stays together.” Thomas S. Monson (November 1988 Ensign, page 69)
A mother has far greater influence on her Children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her Children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the attitudes, hopes and beliefs that will determine the kind of life he will live and the contributions he will make to society.” N. Eldon Tanner (January 1977 New Era, page 33)
Encouraging Family Unity
From Jenny’s Files!
The family is the basic element of society. It is so important. Good homes produce good people. Good homes become the foundation for the strength of any nation. Good homes are certainly the rock bottom need of our nation and every nation. Homes in which there is a father who stands at the head of the home in love and kindness and who assumes the basic responsibility to provide for his family. And a mother who stands as the queen of that home, equally beside her husband, and Children who they love and cherish and nourish and who love them in return. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Press conference, Salt Lake City, 13 Mar 1995)
My dear young friends, I repeat that the most important decision of life is
the decision concerning your companion. Choose prayerfully. And when you are married, be fiercely loyal one to another. Selfishness is the great destroyer of happy family life. If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier Goal , you will be happy, and your marriage will go on throughout eternity. (Gordon B. Hinckley, From BYU commencement address, Marriott Center, April 27, 1995.)
The strength of any community lies in the strength of its families. The
strength of any nation lies in the strength of its families. Strong family
life comes of strong and clear religious understanding of who we are, and why we are here, and of what we may eternally become. Strong family life comes of the perception that each of us is a child of God, born with a divine birthright, and with a great and significant potential. Strong family life comes of parents who love and respect one another, and who love and respect and nurture their Children in the ways of the Lord. These are undergirding principles of our teachings as a church. To the degree that we observe these teachings we build strong families whose generations will strengthen the nation. (Gordon B. Hinckley, CR Oct 1990)
When all is said and done, the primary place in building a value system is in the home of the people. (Gordon B. Hinckley, CR Oct 1993)
“The home is where we learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. It is the first school and the first church.” O. Leslie Stone (November 1976 Ensign, page 60)
The time will come when only those who believe deeply and actively in the family will be able to preserve their families in the midst of the gathering evil around us. Spencer W. Kimball (November 1980 Ensign, page 4) “Nothing can surpass the inner security of having one’s family committed to God.” James M. Paramore (May 1979 Ensign, page 61)
“No other success can compensate for failure in the home. The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God can work miracles and will work miracles.” David O. McKay (April 1964 General Conference Report, page 5)
“Remember always that the most important of the Lord’s work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes.” Harold B. Lee (Published text of the 1973 film, “Strengthening the Home,” page 7)
“Our church buildings are not the only places where we can worship. Our homes should also be places of devotion. It would be well if each day we could “go home to church.” There should be no other place where the Spirit of the Lord is more welcome and more easily accessible than in our own homes.” Dean L. Larsen (November 1989 Ensign, page 63)
“Good Homes are still the best source of good humans.” Neal A. Maxwell (October 1974 Ensign)
“It is important for us to cultivate in our own family a sense that we belong together eternally, that whatever changes outside our home, there are fundamental aspects of our relationship which will never change.” Spencer W. Kimball (October 1974 General Conference Report, page 171)
“Our Heavenly Father has organized us into families for the purpose of helping us successfully meet the trials and challenges of life. The home also exists to bless us with the joys and privileges of family associations. Our family is our safety place, our support network, our sanctuary, and our salvation.” Rex D. Pinegar (Ensign, May 1990, page 9)
Children ought to respect their parents. Children are under the mandate of the Lord, . . . to “honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Children need to overcome their selfishness and look to their parents for love and understanding and training and wisdom. (Gordon B. Hinckley, From Church News interview, June 7, 1995).
Wanted—A Parent
WANTED: Male and female, husband and wife, to raise 4-8-2-1 children for a period of eternity years.
INCOME: Received in payment is nothing—only satisfaction and happiness is rewarded.
QUALIFICATIONS: Age unchangeable—mature in nature—provide home, food, clothing and shelter for a period of questionable years.
HOURS AVAILABLE: At all times from sunrise to sunrise. Fifteen minute breaks are none.
MUST BE: In good physical and mental condition. Must take care of crew’s needs. Be available at all times—never turn them away—be ready for any question and have an answer ready.
EDUCATION is necessary. To receive further training by apprenticeship depends on how long you stay.
WATCH for sickness, disease, hardships, discouragement and “know-it-alls.”
APPLY: Love, understanding and patience.
BE a jack of all trades—Doctor, lawyer, wife, mother (mom), father (dad), husband, nurse, secretary, teacher, plumber, gardener, decorator, seamstress, cook, friend, playmate, president of your own home, king and queen over princes and princesses.
PROVIDE: Enjoyment, fun and relaxation, togetherness and enthusiasm. Apply as often as necessary.
TRANSPORTATION: Moveable arms, legs, feet, eyes, ears and hands. Quick to go. Quick to act when called upon. Always on the go. Cannot be a quitter or a slow-poke. Must stick to it at all times.
INSURANCE: (Religion) Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prayer and faith.
REWARDS: Only a kiss and a quick “I love you!”
For further information call, Code: Heaven; Number: Available any time; Extension: Knees; Ask for Mr. and Mrs. Elohim.