Family Home Evening

Tonight was a fun Family Home Evening with our three sons. I have often wondered if we've been directed to have Family Home Evening on a Monday night to back up our Sunday meetings. You know lift, learn and worship as a congregation on Sundays and then lift and learn as a family on Mondays. I really feel that by doing both in that order we really are helping our families to have stronger faith to meet the challenges of the remaining week. Just a thought I've had.

Well our Family Home Evenings are coming along pretty well. We usually start after dinner and rather then tell everyone to get to the lounge we sing "Family Night" from the children's songbook. It gives us a chance to let the children get excited while we grab our bits and pieces, or clear the dining table and wipe up the half of the dinner that is spilt on the floor. It's nice when we hear Monkey and Moo Moo join in and see Bunny do his shuffle dance.

We then take turns standing up the front (against the t.v. cabinet) to do different things. Tonight Monkey stood up and said "Welcome to Family Home Evening" and sat down. Moo Moo conducted our song "Nephi's Courage" while Bunny stands next to him doing his strong pose (putting his fists up and clenching his whole body). Then Mummy said the prayer with Bunny still up the front now folding his arms (its amazing what one year olds can learn by example). Then Monkey recites the first Article of Faith with the help of Daddy whispering in his ear. The lesson was short and sweet by reading the birth of Jesus from the New Testament children's scripture reader. Then question time with teeny lollies to prompt a response from the boys. Mummy then teaches a new primary song "Jesus Once Was a Little Child" followed by action songs. First we did "Do As I'm Doing" and everyone got to choose a different action to do. I had to laugh (silently of course) when Monkey picked 'be a tree growing like a seed'. So we were high growing trees and low growing trees, fast growing trees and slow growing trees. Very imaginative I thought, usually its an action like jumping or shaking. We finish with "Snow Man' and "Scarecrow" songs and have Milo and biscuits for our treat.

I love a good family home evening!

"We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility. We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities."
(First Presidency letter, 11 February 1999 — Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust)