Teaching the Gospel in the Family The Lord has commanded parents to teach the gospel to their children. He said: "Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. "For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized. "And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. "And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord" (D&C 68:25–28). The Lord has given parents a very important calling, and He knows they can fulfill it well. They should work with their children lovingly and patiently, not expecting perfection from their children or from themselves. The following information may help parents as they teach their children. Family Scripture Study The four books of scripture used in the Church are the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. These books teach us about the will of God for our lives. They teach us about the life and mission of Jesus Christ and the laws of the gospel. They give us examples of people who had faith and kept the commandments of God. Families should study the scriptures together every day so they can learn and follow the teachings of the Lord. Parents are encouraged to gather their families around them at a regular time each day to read and discuss the scriptures. Each family member who can read should be given an opportunity to read from the scriptures. Parents may ask a family member to offer a prayer before the scripture reading. The family member could ask Heavenly Father to bless each person to understand what is read and gain a testimony of it. Families may want to have their family prayer after the scripture reading time. As families read and ponder the scriptures, they will desire to become more like the Savior and will find greater happiness and peace in their lives. Individual and Family Prayers Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to talk to Him through prayer, thanking Him for our blessings and asking for His help and guidance. He will help us when we ask Him. The following four guidelines will help us as we pray: We begin our prayers by talking to our Father in Heaven: "Our Father in Heaven . . . " We thank our Father in Heaven for the things He gives us: "We thank thee . . . " We ask Him for His help with the things we need: "We ask thee . . . " We close our prayer in the name of the Savior: "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Our prayers do not always have to follow all four of these steps. We should always begin and end our prayers as explained above, but the other things we say will depend on what we feel is important. Sometimes we may want to spend most of our prayer thanking our Father. At other times we may need to ask for His help in many aspects of our lives. We should seek to know and follow His will in all we do. Individual Prayers Each person should pray individually at least once each morning and evening. Children should be taught to say their individual prayers as soon as they begin to talk. Parents can teach children how to pray by kneeling with them and having them repeat one sentence at a time. Soon children will be able to offer their own prayers. Family Prayers Every family should hold daily family prayer. The whole family kneels together, and the head of the family offers the prayer or asks a family member to offer it. Everyone should be given a regular opportunity to lead the family in prayer. Small children can take their turns with their parents helping them. Family prayers are excellent occasions for teaching children how to pray and for teaching principles such as faith in God, humility, and love. Blessing the Food Parents should teach their children to thank God for their food and ask Him to bless it before they eat. Each person, including young children, should be given a turn to ask God to bless the food. When we do this, we learn to be thankful to Heavenly Father for our blessings. Special Prayers Parents should teach their children that God is always ready to help them and that in addition to their regular individual and family prayers, they can pray any time they need help or want to express thanks. Most prayers are offered with heads bowed and eyes closed while we kneel, sit, or stand. Family Home Evenings Each family should hold a family home evening each week. A family may consist of one person or of a husband and wife. It may include children and other relatives. Whatever the circumstances, each family will be blessed by holding home evenings. The Church keeps Monday evenings free from other activities so families can use this time to hold family home evenings. The First Presidency said: "We promise you great blessings if you will follow the Lord's counsel and hold regular family home evenings. We pray constantly that parents in the Church will accept their responsibility to teach and exemplify gospel principles to their children. May God bless you to be diligent in this most important responsibility" ("Message from the First Presidency," Family Home Evening Resource Book, iv). The father presides at family home evenings. In the absence of the father, the mother presides. Parents may conduct the home evenings or appoint a family member to do so. Everyone who is old enough should be given opportunities to participate. Parents or older children may teach lessons. Small children can help in such ways as leading music, quoting scriptures, answering questions, holding pictures, passing out refreshments, and praying. The following is a sample outline for family home evening: Opening song (by the family) Opening prayer (by a family member) Poem or scripture reading (by a family member) Lesson (by a parent or an older child) Activity (led by a family member and played by all of the family) Closing prayer (by a family member) Refreshments A family can hold home evenings in many other ways. Any activity that brings the family together, strengthens their love for each other, helps them draw closer to Heavenly Father, and encourages them to live righteously can be a family home evening. Examples of activities include reading the scriptures, discussing the gospel, sharing testimonies, doing a service project, singing together, going on a picnic, playing a family game, and enjoying the beauties of nature. All home evenings should include prayer. Lessons can be based on the scriptures; words of our latter-day prophets, particularly the general conference reports; and personal experiences and testimonies. Many lessons should be centered around the birth, life, teachings, and atonement of the Savior. Gospel Principles, Gospel Fundamentals, and Church magazines contain lessons and articles on many subjects that could be part of family home evening lessons. Following are some topics that might be discussed: The plan of salvation The life and teachings of Jesus Repentance Prayer Fasting The Word of Wisdom The Lord's standard of morality The meaning of the sacrament Tithing Gratitude Honesty Reverence for God and His creations Preparing for baptism, priesthood ordination, or marriage Reading the scriptures Keeping the Sabbath day holy Learning to forgive others Gaining and sharing a testimony Sharing the gospel with others Compiling histories of family members Understanding and accepting death Solving family problems Managing family finances Sharing the work of the family Appreciating and enjoying music In addition, holidays and special occasions such as Christmas; Easter; the departure of a family member for the mission field; or the birth, baptism, or ordination of a family member can be excellent opportunities to teach the truths of the gospel. Family Councils Parents may want to call family members together in family council meetings. Families can use these meetings to set family goals, resolve family problems, discuss finances, make plans, support and strengthen each other, and pray for each other. A council can be held whenever a need exists. Families may want to hold a meeting each Sunday or in connection with family home evening. Respect for the opinions and feelings of others is vital to the success of these meetings. Private Interviews Many parents find that regular private interviews with their children help them to draw close to their children, encourage them, and teach them the gospel. Such interviews may be formal or informal. During the interview, the parent should express love for the child. The child should have an opportunity to express his feelings about any subject, problem, or experience. The parent should listen carefully and should take the child's problems and confidences seriously. The parent and child may also want to pray together. Family Activities Parents should plan times when the family can do things together. Picnics, camping trips, family projects, home and yard cleaning, swimming, and wholesome entertainment are a few of the many activities that families can enjoy together. A family that enjoys activities together will feel greater love and harmony. Children will be more willing to listen to their parents and follow their advice. Parents will be able to teach the gospel more effectively. Daily Activities Many informal opportunities for teaching the gospel arise as families live and work together. For example, while cleaning the house or yard or while eating meals together, parents can talk with their children about activities and concerns. The children may ask questions about the gospel that the parents can answer. Parents can bring up subjects that apply to the children's circumstances and discuss them in an informal and enjoyable way. Parents can use bedtime to tell or read inspiring stories from the scriptures, Church publications, or personal experience.