December 2004 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

their children, having grandchildren over, and writing letters
to the missionaries. Because my husband and I work
different schedules, we plan our family night on whatever
day we get off together.”
Making some kind of contact with grown children and
grandchildren on a regular basis helps families keep in
touch and sets a pattern of contact and caring. Some couples
plan a combined family night at regular times with
their adult children and grandchildren who live close by
and then celebrate all the birthdays or special occasions in
the family for that month. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “We enjoy extended
family home evenings once a month with all available
members of our family. At that time we also celebrate family
birthdays. Many names are written on each birthday cake.” 2
Some couples find it helpful to make weekly plans
during each family home evening. Others take turns presenting
a lesson or planning an activity. It doesn’t matter
so much how they plan or implement family home evening,
only that they’re consistent and give their family relationship
the priority, time, and nourishment it deserves.
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles said: “An eternal bond doesn’t just happen as a
result of sealing covenants we make in the temple. How
we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we
will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings
of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to
us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct
ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live
with us in the eternities.” 3
When couples arrange their lives to include quality family
home evenings, they invite the Spirit into their marriages
and build a solid foundation of love. Consistent, quality
home evenings, combined with obedience to other gospel
teachings, will help form a strong foundation of love, joy,
and peace that can bind a family together forever. ■
Janene Wolsey Baadsgaard is a member of the East Bench Ward,
Spanish Fork Utah Palmyra Stake.
NOTES
1. Family Home Evening (1978), 2.
2. “Identity, Priority, and Blessings,” Ensign, Aug. 2001, 9.
3. “The Eternal Family,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 65.
IDEAS FOR COUPLE FAMILY HOME
EVENING LESSONS AND STUDY
• Read and discuss the scriptures or research a gospel question.
• Take turns presenting lessons from the family home
evening manual.
• Write in journals or work on family research.
• Invite a single sister or brother to participate in a family
home evening with you.
• Record a tape or make a video for family history.
• Read and discuss a Church magazine article.
• Read and discuss patriarchal blessings.
• Write letters, send e-mails, or telephone family members.
• Write to missionaries or invite the missionaries over.
• Research a topic you want to learn more about such
as auto repair, cooking, decorating, yard work, food storage,
or home maintenance.
• Read and discuss the First Presidency message, visiting
teaching message, conference talks, or next week’s priesthood
and Relief Society lesson.
• Read and discuss next week’s Sunday School lesson.
• Invite a nonmember family to your home.
• Select an aspect of your relationship you would like to improve;
then search the scriptures and other good resources for guidance.
• Ask what aspect of life is most challenging to your spouse
and discuss ways you can be more supportive.
• Ask your spouse what makes him or her feel loved;
then express your love in ways your spouse most appreciates. ■
ENSIGN DECEMBER 2004 49