"The warnings of the Prophets and Apostles lead them ever and always
to speak of the home and family. Let me demonstrate the warning voice of
the Prophets. On February 11, 1999 , the First Presidency, with the
support of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, sent to every member of the
Church a letter of counsel concerning our families. Let me read you just
two sentences from this letter:
We counsel parents and
children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening,
gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However
worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be
permitted to displace the divinely appointed duties that only parents and
families can adequately perform'
"As a parent
of teenagers in a busy world, I can confirm that it takes giving these
issues our highest priority to see them effectively work in our family. . .
With the influences of evil that surround our children, can we even
imagine sending them out in the morning without kneeling and humbly asking
together for the Lord's protection? Or closing the day without kneeling
together and acknowledging our accountability before Him and our
thankfulness for His blessings? Brothers and sisters, we need to have
family prayer."
(Neil L. Andersen, Ensign, Nov. 1999, )
***I can tell you of absolute surety I have a testimony of family prayer. I can always tell when we haven't been as diligent in our family prayers.....the kids are fighting, I am frustrated, it is like prayer lifts that fog off of my thoughts, and the kids as well. We work together better as a family, and not just selfishly working alone. We work together as a team, and help one another. It makes the biggest difference in our home. Once you get in the habit it is so much easier. Family prayer, Family Home Evening on Monday nights no matter what, and scripture study. No matter what time it is. Even when it is midnight and the kids are ready for bed we read at least a few verses and kneel together for family prayer. I have to say too that since I have decided to kneel for our family prayers and my own personal prayers it makes a big difference. It feels like I humble myself more, and my prayers are more personal and full of gratitude . Anyways I just thought I would share that with yall. I just got it via email with the daily gems. I love getting their uplifting thoughts every morning.
Love yall, Katy
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Thanks, Katy. Mom mentioned to me once that you always were really good about having family prayers and everything while she was visiting you and she enjoyed doing it with all of you. You're a good mom.
Thanks for sharing Katy. I agree..family prayer makes a huge and significant difference. It's so hard sometimes during FHE when the kids are arguing or out of control but when a prayer is offered it's amazing how the transformation occurs. I'm so grateful for my testimony of prayer as well and I enjoyed reading this uplifting thought you shared.
Another thing I have found is that when my boys, or even when I am having a hard time not being grumpy during all the chaos that likes to visit during Family Home Evening...singing primary songs does wonders. Sometimes we have to sing two or three before it works, but it works every time. I ordered the little tiny children's song books so they don't even have to share. We don't have any musical back up, just our lovely voices!
lol! you made me laugh becuz we sing hymns and it cracks me up inside everytime becuz my husband and I are not good singers and we all sing and sound....well not great....but it does wonders...i can't believe I don't own the small primary song books! I will have to get those asap!! Great idea...thanks again!
I love that- thanks Katy! I get cranky by the time bedtime rolls around and it's easy to skip scriptures with the kids but it is so important- thanks for your testimony and example!
some of my favorite memories are of the kids when they were too little to read but would hold their own book of mormon and quietly pretend to follow along. even the tiny ones will follow. isn't that awesome. to teach them to read the scriptures! example is what teaches the best lessons.
Post a Comment