Home can be a heav’n on earth
When we are filled with love,
Bringing happiness and joy,
Rich blessings from above—
Warmth and kindness, charity,
Safety and security—
Making home a part of heaven,
Where we want to be.
It’s particularly during times of trial or hardship that our families can be of the greatest source of comfort and security. If we work hard to develop that kind of family life, the happiness it can afford us can seem almost limitless – a true heaven on earth.
Drawing fam’ly near each week,
We’ll keep love burning bright.
Serving Him with cheerful hearts,
We’ll grow in truth and light.
Parents teach and lead the way,
Children honor and obey,
Reaching for our home in heaven,
Where we want to stay.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or Mormons) are encouraged to observe weekly Family Home Evenings with their families. Family Home Evenings are an opportunity to teach our children about Heavenly Father, Jesus and the teachings of the gospel. They are also a great time to play games, get to know each other and express our love for one another. In his article “Happiness is Homemade,” (Ensign, Nov 1990, 12,) LeGrand R. Curtis wrote,
“The kitchen table can provide a place for many valuable lessons and warm communications. We should not only partake of good food, but of love and friendship. Scriptures could be read around the kitchen table, and mothers and fathers could explain the teachings of the prophets. Nephi said, “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.” (2 Ne. 4:15.) As we reflect on our years of rearing children, we can see how we and our loved ones have always needed the scriptures. What better could we discuss with our children than the scriptures and our love for them?
Children need to know that their parents love them enough to teach them the gospel. Monday evenings can be made special by family home evening—by the love present, and by music, games, and valuable learning moments. We have found that the child who is rolling on the floor during family home evening listens and learns more than we think possible.”
Sometimes it seems like just one more thing to plan and prepare, but I am never sorry when I have taken the time to observe Family Home Evening in my home. We never have very fancy ones but it’s always fun and sometimes we have those wonderful tender moments that make all the hard work worth it.
Praying daily in our home,
We’ll feel His love divine;
Searching scriptures faithfully,
We’ll nourish heart and mind.
Singing hymns of thanks, we’ll say,
“Father, help us find the way
Leading to our home in heaven,
Where we long to stay.
(LDS Hymns #298)
Mormon beliefs teach that ancient peoples lived in North America and received revelation from God. They wrote their teachings on a collection of brass plates which Joseph Smith was directed to find and translate. Those teachings are available today in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Mormon we read, “Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people,” (Alma 58:10.) Every family today needs the added strength that the Lord can provide. Find it for yourself and for your loved ones on your knees.
Every Make time for your family, to enjoy those activities that make your children smile. Take the time to teach them of God and your love for Him. Read scriptures with them. Pray with them. Doing such things will demonstrate your love for your family and filled with such love, your home will feel like heaven.
