Strengthening Our Families

We have all felt that feeling when mom is trying get you to clean your room or when dad is lecturing about solar energy in whatever it is that he does for his job. Let's not even get started about when your brother or sister does that little pet peeve of yours. Sometimes we just don't understand what that disconnect is between our family. But, believe it or not, this is supposed to happen so that we have the opportunity to practice the teachings of the gospel- patience, forgiveness, and charity, among many other things. 

A family is not necessarily always going to be happy and perfect. But there are things we can do to help strengthen our families, no matter the situation we find ourselves in. Here are five ideas that we can do now to strengthen and unify our families for forever. 

1. Prayer

Prayer is a conversation we have with God, as individuals and as a group. As we strive to pray by ourselves and as a family, our relationship with God will become stronger as will our relationship with our family. As we pray for others in our family, as well as to have the attributes we may need for ourselves (such as patience or forgiveness), we will be able to see each other more as Christ sees each one of us and it will strengthen us in all we do, individually and as a family.

 

2. Scripture Study
Scriptures are the way that God can communicate with us, and in our times of need He will help us as we read His word. We will find answers and peace in the things that may be happening in our family as we read individually. As we read as a family, we will feel the Spirit together and we will become more unified as we learn the lessons God wants us to learn together. Reading every day individually and as a family is an important part of a unified family.

3. Family Home Evening 

A Family Home Evening doesn't have to be at home! It's an activity that everyone in the family participates in. It can be a game, going out, a little activity at home that someone plans. On top of that, to add a little more of a spiritual side, you can share a little spiritual message or principle. As you have a Family Home Evening every week, you will begin to see relationships grow.

 

4. Service
What better way to build better relationships than to serve your family! Even through anger or disappointment you may have with someone, as you do something as simple as making their bed or doing a chore for them, or even giving them a hug, you will feel greater love for them! As king Benjamin said in the Book of Mormon: "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)
 

5. Respect
As we strive to have more respect for those in our house and help them when they ask for it and doing things for them without them asking, we will feel more love and have a closer relationship with everyone. Respect includes not speaking badly or unkindly about anyone in your family and looking for their positive qualities. To make it even better, share those positive qualities you see with them!

 

 

 

I invite you all to try one or more of these ideas! If you're looking for more ideas to help strengthen your family, click here.

 

Walk With Him

{English following Spanish}

¿Qué pasos podemos dar hoy para “Andar con Él”?

What steps can we take today to “walk with Him”?

1. Alimente el deseo de ser un mejor seguidor de Cristo.

Feed the desire to be a better follower of Christ.

2. Ore por este deseo a fin de que su fe en Él aumente.

Pray for this desire that your faith in Him may grow.

3. Obtenga conocimiento de las Escrituras, que iluminarán su camino y fortalecerán su deseo de cambiar.

Obtain knowledge from the scriptures, lighting the way and strengthening your desire to change.

4. Tome hoy la decisión de actuar y diga: Sí, Señor, ¡yo te seguiré! El simple conocimiento de la verdad no cambiará su entorno, a menos que lo transforme en acción.

Make the decision today to act and say, “Yes, Lord, I will follow Thee!” Simply knowing the truth will not change your world unless you turn knowledge into action.

5. Persevere en la decisión tomada mediante el ejercicio diario de estos principios.

Persevere in the decision you have made by exercising these principles daily.

(Steps taken from a talk given by Elder Eduardo Gavarret from the October 2014 General Conference)

(Las medidas adoptadas de un discurso dada por el Elder Eduardo Gavarret de la Conferencia General  de Octubre 2014)

Yo sé que al tratar de seguir Jesucristo y Su ejemplo, seremos bendecidos en maneras que no podemos imaginar. Al continuar en seguir estés pasos diariamente, Él nos ayudará para que podamos "andar con Él."

I know that as we strive to follow Jesus Christ and His example, we will be blessed in ways that we can't even imagine. As we continue to follow these steps daily in our lives, He will help us so that we may "walk with Him."