The Importance of The Family ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately four minutes to read from start to finish.

What is your true definition and understanding for "The Importance of the Family" ? 

What were some of the things that you considered important in families? 

What are some of the things that you consider is important in families now? 

Did your family mean important to you in the past? Does your family means important to you now? 

Did your family cared about you in the past? Does your family cares about you now? 

Did your family supported you in the past? Does your family supports you now? 

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This post focuses on a April 2003 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Importance of the Family" by Elder L. Tom Perry. This post is part one and I hope you would enjoy reading and would be able to learn something new from this post. I would like to share with you some highlights while I reading the talk. 

Elder Perry mentioned the following;

May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary. In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan. This statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declares the responsibilities of parents to their families:

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”1

... We will use all of the resources we have to encourage greater harmony, greater love, and greater influence in the Lord’s special designated unit - the family. We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes. ... Oh, what impact advertising, television programs, the Internet, and the other media are having on our family units!

Helps and reminders will come from the Church Internet site and television channels, as well as through priesthood and auxiliary leadership to assist you as we strive to fulfill our family responsibilities. In some of the zones of the world, we have an alternative to commercial television networks and some of their anti family programming.

We have BYU Television, which presents family-oriented programs. In addition to programs that bring gospel teaching, there are programs directed to parent instruction and family entertainment. We will also be striving to increase the quality and frequency of our family-centered Home Front public service spots.

... The page includes thoughts from the scriptures and Church leaders to strengthen the family. It also includes ideas for family activities. A new home and family section provides: ... Ideas for family activities. Family home evening quick tips to help you have meaningful and enjoyable family home evenings.

"Family is the support you will never have to pay for because come
rain, or shine, they will be there to cheer you on with every of your
life goals."

Featured articles on topics such as making family home evenings more successful, strengthening the relationship between husband and wife, and ideas for feeling closer as family members. ... 

We do have one media source, however, that reaches the entire Church - it is our wonderful Church magazines. These magazines come into our homes regularly and are another way of delivering information to help strengthen the family. Perhaps you noticed in the March Ensign and Liahona - the international magazine - a message from President Gordon B. Hinckley on family home evenings:

“‘We have a family home evening program once a week [Monday night] across the Church in which parents sit down with their children. They study the scriptures. They talk about family problems. They plan family activities and things of that kind. I don’t hesitate to say if every family in the world practiced that one thing, you’d see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world’ (interview, Boston Globe, 14 Aug. 2000).”

Following President Hinckley’s encouragement for us to hold family home evenings, the next article in the Ensign was entitled “The Calling I Didn’t Know I Had”:

“Family home evening was challenging when our children were young. ... “Just then a thought came to mind: ‘Family home evening is one of your callings. In fact, it is part of your most important calling - motherhood!’ I reflected on that insight. ... 

... In addition, throughout the year there will be issues of the Liahona, Ensign, New Era, and Friend containing materials for teaching in the home. There will be wonderful suggestions for family home evenings and ideas for everyday teaching moments. The articles are written so they can easily be adapted for lessons for your family."

Stay Tuned until next time.