"Family Home Evening Ideas," Ensign, Jul 2010, 73
Jennifer Johnson, Nevada, USA
Jennifer Johnson, "Family Home Evening Testimonies," Ensign, July 2010, 73
Parents and teachers should help children learn what a testimony is," the First Presidency stated, "and when it is appropriate for them to express it." They advised, "It may be best to have younger children learn to share their testimonies at such times as family home evening or when giving talks in Primary until they are old enough to do so in a fast and testimony meeting."1
When our bishopric shared this letter from the pulpit, I thought about how our family could support this counsel. After some thought, we decided that the first Monday evening of the month would be a family testimony meeting in our home. When the time came, we parents led by example, and then each of our children participated. From that simple start, our family testimony meeting has become a tradition. For us, the first Monday of the month is ideal because it follows fast Sunday.
Through the comments shared, we catch a greater glimpse of what's going on in each other's lives. Our oldest daughter shared what joy she felt while doing baptisms for the dead for the first time. We have also learned how family members have been strengthened through the power of prayer.
While listening to our children's testimonies, I have received more inspiration about how to help them. And my own testimony has been strengthened as I share it with those I love most.
Illustration by Beth Whittaker
1. First Presidency Letter, May 2, 2002.
"Helps for Home Evening," Ensign, July 2010, 73
"A Tale of Three Families," page 24. As you share the stories of these three families, invite your family members to look for principles that will allow them to have "stronger faith and an increased capacity to serve."
"A Work for Us to Do," page 34. While preparing the lesson, prayerfully consider how to teach the principles in this article with these questions in mind: (1) Do we see ourselves as messengers from God, who has a work for our children and students to do? (2) Are we truly helping those in our sphere of influence learn what they should learn so that they can do what they should do and be what they should be?
"Road Warriors and Strong Families," page 54. Recognizing that all families may have periods where members are separated from each other for a period of time, prayerfully ponder in advance the messages from this article that may best apply to your family situation. Brainstorm as a family ways to implement a plan of action to apply the principles from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" listed in the article.
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