Family Home Evening Talents

"The next item I wish to mention is family home evening. We are fearful that this very important program is fading in too many areas. There is nothing more important than your families. You know that. This program was begun back in 1915, 87 years ago, when President Joseph F. Smith urged the Latter-day Saints to set aside one evening a week devoted specifically to the family. It was to be a time of teaching, of reading the scriptures, of cultivating talents, of discussing family matters. It was not to be a time to attend athletic events or anything of the kind. Of course, if there is family activity of such a kind occasionally, that may be all right. But in the increasingly frantic rush of our lives it is so important that fathers and mothers sit down with their children, pray together, instruct them in the ways of the Lord, consider their family problems, and let the children express their talents. I am satisfied that this program came under the revelations of the Lord in response to a need among the families of the Church.

If there was a need 87 years ago, that need is certainly much greater today."

-- President Gordon B. Hinckley, from an address given in the October 2002 General Conference

Shaelyn taught her first family home evening lesson tonight. She described the pictures she has colored over the last 3 months in Primary and what she learned about each picture. She had a lectern and a very serious face. She only allowed Mommy and Daddy to speak if we raised our hands. She is definitely developing her talent and love for teaching.

I have been practicing the piano every day for 1/2 hour since we got the keyboard. I even got a stand and bench to make it all official. I practice out of the simplified hymn book. Up until now, I have played the right-hand notes in a "hunt and peck" fashion. I took some piano lessons from my friend 2 years ago, where I learned proper hand placement and what "number" my fingers are. Oh, and how to read the bass clef.

That was 2 years ago.

Considering that, I'm pretty proud of myself. I try to master a song a week so we can sing it as our opening song for family home evening, and so I can share my new-found talent, too. We've had two weeks of Mommy playing the opening song so far. I hope there are many more.

If you're not having family home evening regularly, or this is the first time you've even heard about it, I invite you to start the tradition. Michael and I have seen an increase of love and family unity since making this a concrete item on our calendar each week, and as we've made it more about what President Hinckley talked about and less like a "family game night." We both grew up in homes where family home evening was regularly held, and both of us can attest that family home evening was where our testimonies were first cultivated, our values instilled, and our understanding of the gospel strengthened. I have a very strong testimony of this program. I promise if you make the effort, your family will be enriched and strengthened as well.