Opening Song: The Family (CS #194)
Opening Prayer
Scripture: Family Proclamation
Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon
the teachings
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and
families are established and maintained on
principles of faith, prayer,
repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work,
and wholesome
recreational activities.
LessonEach person has an important place in his or her family. Through prophets the Lord has explained how fathers, mothers, and children should behave and feel toward one another. We need to learn what the Lord expects us to do to fulfill our purpose as a family. If we all do our part, we will be united eternally.
Parents should teach their children the gospel. Parents should also teach their children to pray and to obey the Lord’s commandments. Husbands and wives should show love and respect for each other and for their children by both actions and words. It is important to remember that each member of the family is a child of God. Parents should treat their children with love and respect, being firm but kind to them.
Fathers share the blessings of the priesthood with the members of his family. He should set a good example for his family by keeping the commandments. Fathers should spend time with each child individually. He should teach his children correct principles, talk with them about their problems and concerns, and counsel them lovingly. Some good examples are found in the Book of Mormon. It is also the father’s duty to provide for the physical needs of his family, making sure they have the necessary food, housing, clothing, and education. Even if he is unable to provide all the support himself, he does not give up the responsibility of the care of his family.
Latter-day prophets have taught, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children”. A mother needs to spend time with her children and teach them the gospel. She should play and work with them so they can discover the world around them. She also needs to help her family know how to make the home a pleasant place to be. If she is warm and loving, she helps her children feel good about themselves.
The Book of Mormon describes a group of 2,000 young men who rose to greatness because of the teachings of their mothers (see Alma 53:16–23). Led by the prophet Helaman, they went into battle against their enemies. They had learned to be honest, brave, and trustworthy from their mothers. Their mothers also taught them that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them (see Alma 56:47). They all survived the battle. They expressed faith in the teachings of their mothers, saying, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:48). Every mother who has a testimony can have a profound effect on her children.
Children share with their parents the responsibilities of building a happy home. They should obey the commandments and cooperate with other family members. The Lord is not pleased when children quarrel (see Mosiah 4:14).
The Lord has commanded children to honor their parents. He said, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land” (Exodus 20:12). To honor parents means to love and respect them. It also means to obey them.
President Spencer W. Kimball said that children should learn to work and to share responsibilities in the home and yard. They should be given assignments to keep the house neat and clean.
• Discuss what each member of your family can do to contribute to the happiness of the family. This can include the items mentioned above, actual chores and assigned responsibilities and emotional support. As needed make new family goals based on the list below.
(from Gospel Principles manual) All of us want to have happy, successful families. The following things will help us achieve this:
1. Have family prayer every night and morning.
2. Teach children the gospel every week in family home evening.
3. Study the scriptures regularly as a family.
4. Do things together as a family, such as work projects, outings, and decision making.
5. Learn to be kind, patient, long-suffering, and charitable.
6. Attend Church meetings regularly.
7. Keep a family history, perform temple work together, and receive the sealing ordinances of the temple.
8. Follow the counsel of the Lord in D&C 88:119:
“Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”
e.
Activity
If desired, download the House of Order poster below, print and hang in prominent place in your home. Provide paper and crayons/colored pencils/marker/water color paints and have each family member create a picture of the immediate family. Even Mom and Dad should participate.
Closing Song: Love is Spoken Here (#190)
Closing Prayer
Refreshments!
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