STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND HOMES

The visiting teaching message this month is awsome!  So I thought that I would add it to my Tender Mercies Blog:

Strengthening at Every Opportunity

"Each of us is in a different family situation.  Some families have a mother and father with children at home.  Some couples no longer have children at home.  Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents.  Others are widows or widowers living alone."

"No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others."

"[Once] I stayed in the home of my niece and her family.  That evening before the children went to bed, we had a short family home evening and a scripture story.  Their father told about the family of Lehi and how he taught his children that they must hold fast to the iron rod, which is the word of God.  Holding fast to the iron rod would keep them safe and lead them to joy and happiness.  If they should let go of the iron rod, there was danger of drowing in the river of dirty water."

"To demonstrate this to the children, their mother became the 'iron rod' that they must cling to, and their father played the role of the devil, trying to pull the children away from safety and happiness.  The children loved the story and learned how important it is to hold fast to the iron rod.  After the scripture story it was time for family prayer..."

"Scriptures, family home evening, and family prayer will strengthen families.  We need to take every opportunity to strengthen families and support one another to stay on the right path."

- Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.