Sunday, June 15, 2014

A Christ Centered Home

My husband and I both loved this talk! It was in a way, and affirmation of things we instilled in our own family years ago and are still trying to do (and convince our children at times) every day.
How do we lead our children to deep conversion and to access our Savior’s Atonement? I love the prophet Nephi’s declaration of what his people did to fortify the youth of his day: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, [and] we prophesy of Christ … that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”4

How can we do this in our homes? Some of you have heard me tell how overwhelmed my husband, Mel, and I felt as the parents of four young children. As we faced the challenges of parenting and keeping up with the demands of life, we were desperate for help. We prayed and pleaded to know what to do. The answer that came was clear: “It is OK if the house is a mess and the children are still in their pajamas and some responsibilities are left undone. The only things that really need to be accomplished in the home are daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening.”

Years ago during preparation for our first USAF deployment,  we prayed and pondered how we could ensure safety for my husband and safety and special care for those of us left at home. We came to the conclusion, and a firm testimony with each succeeding deployment, that if I wanted, and fully expected, the Lord to bless my husband and family, that I needed to give him no reason NOT TO bless us and keep us safe.  That meant doing all I was asked and making sure we were following the commandments regarding our home and family life-- family prayer, scripture study, and magnifying my callings in the Church.

8 comments:

  1. In April 2011 General Conference, Slder Richard Maynes said: " When parents preside over the family in love and righteousness and teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ by word and through example, and when children love and support their parents by learning and practicing the principles their parents teach, the result will be the establishment of a Christ centered home."

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  2. In the church Handbook it states: " A home with loving and loyal parents is the setting in which the spiritual and physical needs of children are most effectively met. A Christ centered home offers adults and children a place of defense against sin, refuge from the world, healing from emotional and other pain and committed genuine love."

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  3. Building the Kingdom of God begins with building a righteous home and family. The family is the most important unit of the Church. As members of the Church, we should establish a home where the Spirit is present. A Christ centered home offers us a place of defense against sin, refuge from the world and committed, genuine love. Whether our home is large or small, it can be a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. DC 88: 119

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  4. The Savior taught: " If a man love me, he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our abode with him." ( John 14:23). This scripture teaches us that if we love the Lord and obey His commandments, He will be with us - in our individual lives and in our homes. We should strive to make our homes worthy places for Him to make His abode.

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  5. Elder Scott in April Conference 2013' stated: " One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world, is the power of a Christ centered home, where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept and love abounds."

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  6. Elder Scott continued: " Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual is conditional on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is a peace and serenity. There is a spirit of assurance that prevails the home and it is felt by all who dwell there."

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  7. He then said: " I'm sure you can identify the fundamental principles that center your home on the Savior. The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture, and weekly family home evening are essential weight bearing beams in the construction of a Christ centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much needed peace and refuge from the world. Be obedient to the prophetic teachings Christ would have you follow. Don't rationalize away future happiness by taking short cuts instead of applying sound gospel principles. Remember little things lead to big things. Simple consistent good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings."

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  8. A gospel centered home is a place where family members learn to love the gospel and to worthily participate in priesthood ordinances. It is a place where they grow in faith in God and in their love for Him, for His restored gospel and for one another. The Spirit of the Lord resides there. And to nourish our spirits, we should remember to keep the Sabbath Day holy and renew our covenants to the Lord.

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