Comments on: Family Home Evening Is For Singles Too

By: Amy Carpenter

Amy Carpenter — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 04:21:16 +0000

In reply to Laura.

Laura, I LOVE your comment. It really resonates with me right now, as I’m going through a divorce. I think you’re exactly right: sometimes we’re doing everything exactly right yet things don’t work out like we want them to at all. Maybe we’re holding Family Home Evening, trying to participate in and feel included in our ward, paying tithing, etc., and those blessings we’re so sure will come are just plain not coming. Yet I firmly believe that we will receive blessings just from being obedient, whether those blessings come now or later. Thank you for this ever-important reminder that just because we do what we’re supposed to doesn’t mean that we’re going to get all the blessings we want (or even sometimes expect) right now — but that faith doesn’t operate on a timetable.

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 14:01:08 +0000

I am not single but I am the only active member in my family. I cannot get anyone to participate in any form of family home evening with me even if it is not gospel centered. I did read the articles, as I was thinking I should do family home evening on my own at least. But when I read the articles I realized that I was doing all the things they mentioned throughout the week anyway. Although I do not have the time set aside specifically for family home evening I’m doing the gospel oriented activities that address the concerns of the first presidency at that time. it made me question why do I need to have family home evening?
However, in saying that, I still feel I need to have a specific time set aside for my own family home evening just to be obedient to the words of the prophets. Maybe I should do it in an obvious manner so my family will see me and maybe they will learn by osmosis or their hearts will be softened? At least I will be setting a good example?
I do understand how people feel left out in the church. I feel left out all the time. Church meetings are a great source of anxiety for me. But that is separate from my faith in the gospel and my relationship with the Lord. That is what I have to focus on. I do my best to reach out to others and keep the commandments. People have their agency though. As long as your attitude and actions are right before the Lord.
As mentioned before, if you are feeling left out reach out to those who are in the same situation.
Always remember, regardless of the trials and tribulations of this life, you will be blessed for eternity if you remain faithful. Some blessings will not be given us in this life. We cannot let our salvation be affected because of the actions of others.
For singles, just the fact that you’re having it on your own means that you are instituting a habit. if you do get married you already have that habit instilled in your life and it will be easier to institute the habit in the life of your future family.

By: Patty Sampson

Patty Sampson — Wed, 13 May 2015 16:09:47 +0000

In reply to Scotty Pressley.

Hi. Has anyone gotten back to you or addressed your question? I have a suggestion based on what I experienced while I was single. We didn’t have a formally organized YSA Ward where I lived. So the single folks origanized themselves together on their own. We gathered at different friend’s houses each week and had an informal FHE or similar gathering. It was a lot of fun! I always love any excuse to gather together and support each other. I am not sure if this answers your concern. I hope your life is going well. You aren’t alone and the Lord knows your situation and He is looking out for you.
-Patty

By: Scotty Pressley

Scotty Pressley — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 02:22:55 +0000

I am interested to know about those people who are in limbo with their marital status and ward membership status–specifically those who don’t have children but WERE married and are only legally separated with no divorce decree to finalize a marriage’s end and yet live alone. These individuals don’t have a spouse or children with which to have an FHE, nor are these individuals allowed to attend single adult ward activities because they are still, by law, married. This is a place with which I found myself on a regular basis, and to make matters worse, during that time I attended a “family ward” which almost exclusively is made up of 20-something year-old, newlywed coupled, BYU students. I could not rely on attending someone else’s FHE–especially those members in my ward who are preoccupied with their spouses and/or children for their own FHE activities. How does the Church make such people in that case feel included? If not for strong faith and loving support by my bishop and stake president as well as members of my ward outside of Monday night FHE, I probably would have skipped out on church and everything related to it during the entire duration of my separation, but not being able to spend time with people for FHE always left me feeling lonely and left out.