Creating celestial families

1. Creating celestial families • T: Doctrine and Application for Creating Fabulous Families and Marriages • W: Great Activities to Do on the Sabbath to Bless You and Your Family • Th: Effective Family Councils: How, When, and Why? • F: Highest Priorities for Raising Valiant Children Who Will Work Miracles for the Lord Now and Throughout Eternity

2. Doctrine and Application for Creating Fabulous Families and Marriages “Brothers and Sisters, The most important cause of our lifetime is our families” – Elder M. Russell Ballard, Conference Report April 2012

3. Today’s Roadmap: Doctrine and application for creating fabulous families and marriages • What is the vision our Heavenly Father and Savior have for families? • Motherhood and fatherhood are the noblest and most demanding, yet most rewarding careers on earth. • What is an ideal marriage? • When we follow the prophets with faith in Jesus Christ we can go forth with vision, create celestial families, and have great joy in the journey.

7. A People of Profound Learning • Nothing we do while on the earth is of greater importance than what we do in our homes with our families. • -- Preparing for Exaltation Teachers Manual • http://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-for-exaltation-teachers-manual/lesson-40-home-a-school-for-eternity?lang=eng

8. Elder Boyd K. Packer: • “The most sacred place on earth may not be the temple, necessarily. The chapel, the stake house, and the temple are sacred as they contribute to the building of the most sacred institution in the Church—the home—and to the blessing of the most sacred relationships in the Church, the family” (That All May Be Edified [1982], 234–35). • -- Quoted in Preparing for Exaltation Teachers Manual • http://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-for-exaltation-teachers-manual/lesson-40-home-a-school-for-eternity?lang=eng

9. Elder Ballard Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives and will become, as a people and as a church, an example and a beacon for all peoples of the earth. Elder M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, May 2012 “That the Lost May Be Found” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/that-the-lost-may-be-found?lang=eng

10. The Role of Families in God’s Plan • The family is ordained of God. It is the most important unit in time and in eternity. Even before we were born on the earth, we were part of a family • As part of our Heavenly Father’s plan, we were born into families. He established families to bring us happiness, to help us learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare us for eternal life. • Church Handbook of Instruction p.2 • http://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/families-and-the-church-in-gods-plan?lang=eng

11. The Role of Families in God’s Plan cont’d • Parents have the vital responsibility to help their children prepare to return to Heavenly Father. Parents fulfill this responsibility by teaching their children to follow Jesus Christ and live His gospel. • Church Handbook of Instruction p.2 • http://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/families-and-the-church-in-gods-plan?lang=eng

12. Is there an Ideal Family?

13. Elder Scott “First Things First” • Through the restored gospel we learn there is an ideal family. • It is a family composed of a righteous Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous wife sealed to him and children born in the covenant or sealed to them. With a mother in the home in an environment of love and service, the parents teach their children, through example and precept, the ways of the Lord and His truths.  • https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/first-things-first?lang=eng

14. Elder Scott “First Things First” • They fulfill their divinely appointed roles mentioned in the family proclamation. Their children mature by living teachings instilled from birth. They develop characteristics of obedience, integrity, love of God, and faith in His holy plan. In due course, each of those children seeks a companion with similar ideals and aspirations. They are sealed in the temple, bear children, and the eternal plan continues, with generation strengthening generation. • https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/first-things-first?lang=eng

15. Elder Andersen “Children” • I testify of the great blessing of children and of the happiness they will bring us in this life and in the eternities. • …. Many voices in the world today marginalize the importance of having children or suggest delaying or limiting children in a family.  • In our day prophets and apostles have declared. “The first commandment , that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.” • https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng

16. Ultimate goal is the same for all • All members, even if they have never married or are without family in the Church, should strive for the ideal of living in an eternal family. This means preparing to become worthy spouses and loving fathers or mothers. In some cases these blessings will not be fulfilled until the next life, but the ultimate goal is the same for all. - Church Handbook of Instruction 1.3.3 http://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/families-and-the-church-in-gods-plan?lang=eng#1.3.3

17. “What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest” Elder Ballard • I believe the mission statement for mortality might be “to build an eternal family.” Here on this earth we strive to become part of extended families with the ability to create and form our own part of those families. • https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/what-matters-most-is-what-lasts-longest?lang=eng

18. Family Reunion Shirt

19. Grandpa’s Kiss First and Firmest to Follow the Brethren

20. Your Family Motto…? • Take 30 seconds… Consider what is the purpose and vision for my family? • Does my family have a motto? Should it? How could having a motto or mission statement that reflects the Lord’s vision for my family bless my family? Does your Family Motto Reflect Your Vision?

21. Elder Henry B. Eyring • A wise parent would never miss a chance to gather children together to learn of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Such moments are so rare in comparison with the efforts of the enemy. For every hour the power of doctrine is introduced into a child’s life, there may be hundreds of hours of messages and images denying or ignoring the saving truths. • Elder Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of Teaching Doctrine” Conference Report, April 1999 • http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/the-power-of-teaching-doctrine?lang=eng

22. Elder Henry B. Eyring Cont…. • The question should not be whether we are too tired to prepare to teach doctrine or whether it wouldn’t be better to draw a child closer by just having fun or whether the child isn’t beginning to think that we preach too much. The question must be, “With so little time and so few opportunities, what words of doctrine from me will fortify them against the attacks on their faith which are sure to come?” The words you speak today may be the ones they remember. And today will soon be gone. • Elder Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of Teaching Doctrine” Conference Report, April 1999 • http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/the-power-of-teaching-doctrine?lang=eng

23. Wednesday’s class on how to use the Sabbath to Teach and Bless your Family – the Doctrine and Detailed Application

24. Elder Scott “For Peace at Home” • Regardless of your circumstances, you can center your home and your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the source of true peace in this life. • Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is peace and serenity. There is a spirit of assurance that pervades the home, and it is felt by all who dwell there. • http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng

25. IDEAS for Christ Centered Home1 • Sing Hymns as the children are waking and you are preparing breakfast • Have family devotional at/around Breakfast • Sing Hymn together – 1st Presidency Preface Hymnbook • Prayer • Scripture Reading (3 mins in Book of Mormon) • Scripture Memorization • 5-15 minutes total • Kisses and Hugs Goodbye as children and spouse go to their school or work

26. Specific time in the morning (perhaps 10 am) • Have Pre-school or scripture reading time with your preschoolers • Use nursery manual pictures online, in book, the resources are endless. • Love and be with your children without interruption for 15 mins to an hour (whatever you can give)

27. Before Naps • Read to your children as they lay down for their naps • Select scripture stories that show who true heroes really are • Some children form their heroes as young as 3, so you deliberately teach and testify to them (through out the day) of Heavenly Father’s real heroes and valiant warriors.

28. Lunchtime • Use gospel in art pictures to teach a 3 min spiritual lesson to teach a scripture story to your children each day at lunch time. These minutes and days will add up and your children will be the greatest generation of missionaries and valiant mothers and fathers and church leaders.

29. Lacy’s Wall

34. Home from School • Before children arrive home from school, prepare yourself the hours before to greet them and give them your full attention • This means that shopping, visiting teaching, housework, some things that need to be done, are done before the children get home • When they get home, greet them with a snack and talk to them about their day • Then children do homework together • If you have a lot of little children, it’s helpful to help the oldest child, help the younger child, and be their tutor

35. After an hour or two of homework, children can have free time or play time • Sometimes having this structure forchildren in the home, is more important to their eternal welfare than running to team sports or outside the home activities, even though these things might be good. • Think: good, better, best.

36. 1st presidency letter feb. 11th 1999 • “However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.” • http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5154-1,00.html

37. Half hour before dinner time, children return from playing and their activities to do their room checks (3x5 card by the light-switch) and help prepare dinner and dad’s arrival (even if he isn’t able to be there for dinner and family time) • Sing “I’m so glad when daddy comes home” at Dad’s arrival • Family scripture study before or after dinner

38. Dinner time • After dinner • Family responsibilities clean up of dinner • Bed Time • Mother or dad reads to the children (if you have several children in different bedrooms, read in hallway/ one child read in their bed) • Kneel by their bed for prayer

39. Mom and Dad • Spend 15 minutes with your spouse (or yourself) before bed and discuss the home evening lesson you just had or will have, tues – priesthood lesson, wed – RS lesson, thurs – yw/ym lesson, Friday – Date night, Saturday night – lesson for Sunday church (with children too), Sunday – specifics for Gospel Study discussed on Tuesday.

40. The family is ordained of god • “The Family is Ordained of God. Marriage between Man and Woman is essential to his eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a Father and a Mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.” -The Family: A Proclamation to the World https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

41. Fathers are to preside, provide, and protect • By divine design, Fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. -The Family: A Proclamation to the World https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation

42. “Great things required of their fathers” EZRA TAFT BENSON • Yes, these times require great things from fathers, and so does the Lord. Three requirements are: create a home where love and the Spirit of the Lord may abide; bring up children in light and truth; and set your homes in order. • https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1981/04/great-things-required-of-their-fathers?lang=eng

43. “Great Things Required of Their Fathers”EZRA TAFT BENSON • The sacred title of “father” is shared with the Almighty. In the Church men are called and released. Did you ever hear of a mortal father being released? • https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1981/04/great-things-required-of-their-fathers?lang=eng

44. “Great Things Required of Their Fathers”EZRA TAFT BENSON • Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one’s family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters. • https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1981/04/great-things-required-of-their-fathers?lang=eng

45. The power of teaching your family on the Sabbath (Wednesday's class) • Leaders should ensure that Sunday meetings are not so numerous that there is little time for parents and children to be together on that day. When possible, leaders should avoid scheduling Sunday meetings other than those in the standard three-hour schedule, leadership meetings in the early mornings, and occasional meetings on evenings. Church Handbook of Instruction p. 138 https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/meetings-in-the-church

48. Russell M. Nelson • “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.” • – Russell M. Nelson Ensign, May 1999,38 • http://www.lds.org/ensign/1999/05/our-sacred-duty-to-honor-women

49. "The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career." — C.S. Lewis http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/20606-the-homemaker-has-the-ultimate-career-all-other-careers-exist http://bardfan.blogspot.com/2009/10/it-is-mystery-where-did-this-cs-lewis.html

50. The Lord Speaks to Mothers “In this age when more and more women are turning to daily work, how tremendous it is, once in a while, to stop and recognize that the greatest service that any woman will ever perform with be in nurturing, teaching, lifting, encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and truth. There is no other thing that will compare with that regardless of what she does. I hope that the women of the Church will not slight their greatest responsibility in favor of a lesser responsibility. To the mothers of this church, every mother who is here this day, I want to say that, as the years pass, you will become increasingly grateful for that which you did in molding the lives of your children in the direction of righteousness and goodness and integrity and faith.” • President Gordon B. Hinckley (Heber City/Springville, Utah, regional conference, 14 May 1995) • http://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/12/excerpts-from-recent-addresses-of-president-gordon-b-hinckley?lang=eng