I just flew home from Utah, completely exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. Yesterday was one of the highlights of my life - I put my first of four sons in the Missionary Training Center, heretoafter known as the MTC. I knew it was going to be both brutal and fantastic. I came prepared with a purse full of tissue and a prayer in my heart that I would be strong and not collapse in a heap of pitiful tears in front of my son and the entire MTC.

When my husband, son and I drove up to the MTC we were excited to see scores of soon-to-be-missionaries and their families pouring onto the grounds. We later learned that 256 missionaries were to enter that day. We followed the signs to the special parking area which was reserved for new missionary families. There was a palpable air of excitement.

My son said, "This seems so unreal!"

His big day had finally arrived. We had talked about it, prayed about, saved for it, and even sung about it his entire life and now it was finally happening.

We stopped at the cross-walk with a few other families and I couldn't help but ask, "Elders! Where are you going?"

We quickly met one young man going to Washington DC, another going to Switzerland, and another going to Bulgaria. At the other side of the cross-walk we played cameraman for each other next to the famous Missionary Training Center sign. Every time another missionary walked by I'd shout out the same question and get an excited "Hong Kong! Brazil! New York!" It was so exciting to watch the ranks of God's newest army file in.

It has been 23 years since I entered the MTC myself, headed for the Spain, Madrid mission. So many wonderful feelings came flooding back into my mind and I wished I could join these new missionaries and do it all over again. What a privilege it was to be a full-time missionary for the Lord.

The instant we stepped foot on MTC soil we were greeted by at least a dozen smiling volunteers, directing the way we should go. We first dropped off my son's luggage in the designated spot and took more pictures next to each landmark we deemed important and/or entertaining, such as the famous "Missionaries on Bikes" statue.

We then walked to the front doors of the MTC where signs directed the parents to enter one door and the missionaries to enter a different one. I stopped dead in my tracks, saying, "Wait! We have to say goodbye already?"

Another volunteer kindly explained the separation was only for 30 seconds so the missionaries could register and get their name tags. I was relieved and grateful I didn't have to use my year's supply of tissue hidden in my purse yet.

Once inside, my son was given his first official name tag with a big red dot on it, indicating to all within a square mile that he was a "Greenie," in other words, he was a brand new missionary! We were told that it was tradition for a loved one to put his name tag on. The thought of that significant deed was too emotional for me to handle so I let my husband do the honors while I caught the historical moment on video.

We wandered around the lobby taking pictures for a while and then finally went to the chapel just down the hall where some of those touching "Mormonad" commercials were playing...as if we weren't teary-eyed enough already! Between commercials short slides were shown that shared interesting statistics about the MTC and missions around the world.

The chattering crowd quickly quieted down as the MTC 1st Counselor greeted us and began the meeting. I was doing great until he invited us to sing the traditional missionary hymn "Called To Serve." That's when the tissues first made their appearance. I remember singing that song in Spanish in the MTC so many years ago, surrounded by a sea of enthusiastic and humble missionaries who were preparing to go forth unto every nation. Everyone always sang in their mission language, resulting in an awesome "Day of Pentecost" sensation. My heart couldn't handle the immense joy I felt to be able to bring my own son to this sacred place and have the same spiritual, life-changing experiences. What an honor it was to be there again in the midst of these fishers of men.

The MTC President, his wife, his counselor and his wife all spoke loving words of advice and comfort and then they showed us a sweet video of missionaries going all over the world to serve. The moment of separation finally arrived as the 1st Counselor suggested the wisdom of what he called "the Bandaid Technique" for saying goodbye: it's less painful to do it quickly.

Many tears were shed and loving words spoken as we hugged our wonderful missionary good-bye. A true bitter-sweet moment. I've never been so proud of him as I was that moment. He was well-prepared and anxious to serve. Thoughts raced through my mind of when my son was first placed in my arms and I fell in love with his sweet little face. What a privilege it has been to be his mother and watch his life unfold to this very moment.

The MTC President shared a scripture with us that I will keep in my heart during the next two years. It is found in Doctrine and Covenants 6:20 which says

"Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love."

He assured us parents that as our missionary was leaving our arms, he was entering the arms of the Savior. There is no better place to be.

Our family is one of God's greatest gifts to us. It can be a source of joy for us, or pain. It is something that is dear to our hearts so as disciples of Jesus Christ, the first place we should carry His name is into our homes. "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" clearly states that happiness in marriage and family is best achieved when the home is centered on the principles of Jesus Christ. After our own conversion, creating a family of disciples should be our highest priority. In fact, within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe a discipleship home creates an eternal home.

How can we do this? What steps can we take to ensure that our spouses and children, or parents, brothers, and sisters have the opportunity to develop their own relationship with Jesus Christ? Here is a brief list that the ancients and modern day prophets have counseled us to attend to with the promised blessing of a happier, richer home life that is centered on the gospel of Christ.

Scripture study. Draw strength from the scriptures. Let your children see you immersed in them because they bring you joy, then help them find that joy as well. No one method is right or wrong, the priority is time spent reading together from God's word not necessarily turning our children into scripture spouting powerhouses. In our family scripture study has taken on many different faces depending on the needs of the children. When one child was struggling with embarrassment in church meetings when they could not turn to the scripture references as easily as others in the class, our family scripture time became random verse readings. Each member of the family opened their scriptures to any given point, then we would look up each person's scriptures together. The verse was read and then we moved on. If they were still tolerant after everyone had shared scriptures, we might ask them which verses they liked best and talk about them briefly.

Though it may seem inappropriate to some, there are times we treat our scripture study as a game. We bribe them with small treats equal to the number of verses we are able to read without getting ants in our pants. We see who can find the silliest or shortest verse, or the longest genealogy, or be the first to locate a scripture on a given subject. The winner gets an extra fifteen minutes before bed. This is how we keep the grumbles out of our scripture time. It works for us; it may not work for another.

Family prayer. After our scripture time, we end with a prayer. On nights where we may be behind schedule or having a difficult time in some other manner, my husband and I will divide forces and visit each child's room separately. We let the child hear us pray for them and our family, then listen to their own prayer. Again, it may not be ideal, but it's a step in the right direction that fits the season of our family.

Family Home Evening. We have been counseled by our modern prophets to set aside one night a week for our family to be together. We play, we get to know each other better, we try to resolve difficulties our family is facing, we study the gospel, we grow closer. True, there are many times when family time is a struggle, whether it is because of outside responsibilities or inside contentions and resistance. These are the things that Satan wants us to focus on, he is trying everything in his power to discourage you and weaken the links between family members. He wants us to only remember the nights when everyone is crying or staring at you sullenly. He doesn't want you to remember the times you drew closer, or things went well, or everyone left smiling. He wants you to believe that family time is impossible, and certainly not worth the trouble.

This is not what Heavenly Father has asked of us. He values our family unit. It is meant to be eternal. He has asked us to put our family first in our lives. When we shove those negative influences aside, when we schedule family time each week, even if it means sacrificing something else, then our family learns they matter. But above all else it creates a home of discipleship and reduces contention. Do not try to follow a formula that is not effective for your family unit. Just because your neighbor can have hour long, in depth gospel discussions with his family does not mean this is what your family needs. Focus your family time around your own family's needs. The point is to draw closer together in love and in the gospel, not to drive more wedges between you with unrealistic expectations.

Family meals. The same advice applies to gathering your family together once a day for a meal, casual conversation, and even reviewing family scheduling for the day. Dinner may be easiest for some families. In others it may be breakfast. Again, elaborate meals and extended amounts of time are not the priority. Touching bases with each family member and feeding them spiritual love and support is the key.

Service. Place the needs of other family members above your own and learn to service them happily. Give each other your best manners and respect, then take your serving hearts to others in your community and the world. Learn to work together to strengthen and uplift others.

It's not a very long list, some may be simpler for you than others, but as in all things, Christ takes the measure we are able to provide and fortifies it according to our needs. It does not provide a guarantee that no family member will stray or that all contention will be absent from our home. What it does provide is the strength to weather the storms of life when you learn to face them together.