Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Or several curve balls in a row. It’s at times like these that many of us turn to our families, finding in them the comfort and relief we crave. With our families we can achieve happiness, as long as we do the work necessary to strengthen our families every day. And it makes perfect sense: Daily training will improve our batting skills allowing us to hit those curve balls out of the park.
Over the course of its history many Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons as they are commonly called), have taught us of the importance of families. Harold B. Lee (1899–1973), eleventh President of the Church said: “The most important of the Lord’s work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee (2000), 134.)
This is something most people know instinctively, but we often feel driven to do those things contrary to this private desire. We feel to truly serve, we must do it outside the home, or it doesn’t really count. But President Lee clearly taught us that first you must see to your families before all else.
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), thirteenth President of the Church confirms what President Lee taught. He said: “There can be no genuine happiness separate and apart from the home. The sweetest influences and associations of life are there.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1947, 27.)
It’s that sweetness that makes it a place of peace and refuge when those curve balls come flying fast and furious. Cultivate those relationships so they remain a source of joy for you and for your whole family.
One of the things you can do to strengthen the family and nurture the love and happiness that is found within your home is to have regular family prayer. President George Albert Smith (1870–1951), eighth President of the Church, taught “[Do] we want our homes to be happy[?] If we do, let them be the abiding place of prayer, thanksgiving and gratitude.” (In Conference Report, Apr. 1944, 32.)
We should all strive for such a heaven on earth.
Something else we can do to strengthen our family is to communicate always with love. Our children are very sensitive to the language we use as we set the tone and color for our family environment. These following quotes will illustrate this point:
Brigham Young (1801–77)
Second President of the Church“The greatest difficulty that exists in the little bickerings and strifes of [families] … arises from the want of rightly understanding each other.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young (1997), 175.)
“Anger should never be permitted to rise in our bosoms, and words suggested by angry feelings should never be permitted to pass our lips.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 174.)
David O. McKay (1873–1970)
Ninth President of the Church“We contribute to an ideal home by our character, by controlling our passions, our temper, by guarding our speech, because those things will make our homes what they are.” (In Conference Report, Oct. 1967, 149.)
Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–)
Fifteenth President of the Church“There are good families everywhere. But there are too many who are in trouble. This is a malady with a cure. The prescription is simple and wonderfully effective. It is love.” (“Look to the Future,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 69.)
You will notice that the doctrine of happiness in our families has been taught for over a hundred years in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is a true principle that will bless your home and your life, if you choose to believe and to live it.
I truly believe that the greatest blessings we have on this earth are our families. Cherish your loved ones and tend to their needs before all others. Dedicate time to family prayer. Speak to them with love. Daily training in family happiness will prepare you, and your children, for the game of life and you’ll be happy.
