Family Home What?

So, what's all the hullabullu about Famly Home Evening?  What IS Family Home Evening?

Well folks, it's great. 

Once a week, usually on Monday nights, members of the LDS Church take extra time with their families.  They use resource books, such as the Family Home Evening book, websites like LDS.org and mormon.org, The Bible, Book of Mormon and other scriptures, and stories for an evening devotional. 

Usually Family Home Evening (sometimes referred to as F.H.E.) begins with a song and a prayer.  Then a lesson is taught.  After the lesson, often times an acivity is planned.  Followed by my personal favorite; dessert!

Why is this short little program so important? 

It keeps our families glued together.  As we teach each other about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, we grow closer to them, and closer to one another. 

I remember so many FHE nights that I did not want to be there.  But I went, and I generally left in a happier mood. 

Some of my favorite memories were listening to my parents teach us about the Plan of Salvation and how it would lead us to a better and happier life.  I remember we would sing the hymns, Called To Serve, and Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel.  Most imporantly I remember what I felt.  I remember that I felt the Spirit.  I felt safe.  I felt loved and secure.  I always knew that Mondays were a special time for our family, and they still are!  I might be 1,600 miles away from them, but every Monday night I know they are having Family Home Evening and learning about all the great things I get to teach to the people of Tennessee.

Family Home Evening makes a difference.  Can you imagine the strength that would come to the entire international family if we all had F.H.E.?

Simon Says

Growing up in a household of 8 children was exactly what I needed in life.  However, it may have taken a toll on my mom at times.  Being the tough and loving lady she is, she found ways to teach us how to live the laws of the gospel. 

One important lesson I remember her teaching was about obedience.  Both my mother and father taught that "Obedience is the first law of Heaven." 

To illustrate this point, one day, for Family Home Evening my mother taught us a game called Simon Says. 

I'm sure most people have at least heard of this game.  Mom would say, "Simon says touch your toes."  And we would touch our toes. 

We did everything that "Simon Said" to do.  But if she didn't say, "Simon Says", then we did not do it!  If you followed any command that wasn't given by Simon, you were out of the game. 

She explained to us that this is like following Heavenly Father.  When we listen to His commands and obey them, we are blessed.  When we listen to the commands of other sources, such as addictions, temptations, and unrighteous passions, we miss out on the blessings that our Father in Heaven has available for us. 

Listening to the Spirit takes some effort on our part.  But the rewards and blessings are great!