Caring for Our Homes

One sister who had just returned from a visit to Holland reported: “One striking observation we made while in Holland is that the homes in that tiny land have choice personalities. The window sills in those red brick homes with the red tiled roofs are always filled with rows of flower pots—usually containing geraniums. The windows are large—with never a blind or a screen to cover them. These glistening windows add to the sparkle of the home’s personality. Many of the homes are named. Above a door you might see names such as: Sunny Corner, Sunbeam, Sun Cottage, Peace Haven, Tranquility, or Peaceful Nook. … Warmth and sunshine and pleasantness, together with peace and tranquility and contentment! THESE ARE THE THINGS WHICH MAKE A HOUSE A HOME!” (Daryl V. Hoole, The Art of Homemaking [1967], 117–18).

• How do you feel when you see a clean and tidy home?

• How does keeping your home and yard clean and neat show appreciation to your Heavenly Father?

Clean windows, bright flower pots, hanging baskets, and window boxes reflect individual personalities. Well-kept gardens, yards, fences, and outbuildings indicate to the community that we are fulfilling our responsibility to care for our surroundings.

The Lord gave man instructions in the Garden of Eden “to dress it, and to keep it” (Moses 3:15). The Lord requires this of us today as He did then. We are expected and required to care for and beautify whatever space we occupy on this earth.

Whether we are homeowners or tenants, we should feel responsible for keeping property clean, neat, and attractive. We should also take proper care of our animals by keeping pens, barns, and barnyards clean and in good repair and order.

“There is a story that President Brigham Young, having urged the people of certain communities to properly dress and clean their premises, refused to go back to them to preach to them, saying something like this: ‘You didn’t listen to me when I urged you to fix up your premises. The same doors are off their hinges; the same barns are still unpainted; the same fences are partly fallen’” (Spencer W. Kimball, in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, 5; or Ensign, May 1975, 5).

President Kimball often reminded members of the Church of the need to clean, repair, and beautify their homes. “Now we ask you to clean up your homes. … We urge each of you to dress and keep in a beautiful state the property that is in your hands” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, 4–5; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, 4). “Whatever your circumstance, let your premises reflect orderliness, beauty, and happiness” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 171; or Ensign, May 1976, 125).

President David O. McKay also counseled us to make our homes attractive and to have more activities there (see Gospel Ideals [1953], 485–86). Our children will be happy and glad to bring their friends home if home is a warm, friendly, happy place.

• What advantages come from cleaning and fixing up your surroundings?

When our homes are neat and orderly, they increase in value, safety, and beauty.

• Read Doctrine and Covenants 132:8. Why is order important in our homes?

Order is essential in the heavens; if it were otherwise, chaos would rule. Order is just as necessary in our homes. President Kimball said, “Plan well and carry out your plan in an orderly and systematic manner” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 171; or Ensign, May 1976, 125).

• Display visuals 27-a, “Children can help with household chores,” and 27-b, “Family members working to beautify the family home.”

  Image

  painting home

When Brother and Sister Fox bought an old house in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA, it was in need of much repair. “Truckloads of ‘stuff’ were hauled from the house. Scrubbing and painting became a family project with Heidi, 17; Erin, 16; Nathan, 14; and Paige, 11, doing their share of the work. …

“Brother Fox explained that not all the walls and doors are exactly straight and there are breezes that blow through the rooms. …

“‘It was scary,’ Paige broke in to say. ‘But we love it.’ …

“‘Now it is a Mormon house,’ Erin said” (“A Romance between Home, Family,” Church News, 19 Aug. 1978, 5).

• Why were the parents and children excited and happy about their home? Why should your home be an example to your neighbors?

We should keep our homes clean and attractive. However, we should also avoid excess in doing so. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin cautioned us against “placing improper emphasis on the obtaining of material possessions.” He warned: “Even if we are blessed enough to afford … luxury, we may be misdirecting resources that could be better used to build the kingdom of God or to feed and clothe our needy brothers and sisters [see 2 Nephi 9:51]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 81; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 65).

We do not need expensive furnishings to improve our homes. We can often make something useful from old or discarded items. By working together we can repair and refinish old furniture that we have purchased at thrift stores or auctions. We can paint walls, ceilings, and doors, sew draperies and bedcovers, make pillows, and weave rugs.

Three simple steps can help us accomplish much with our families. First, as a family we should look around our homes to discover areas that need repair, cleaning, painting, or reorganizing.

Next, we should plan as a family to accomplish these tasks. It is important for us to organize and select only one area at a time to work on. Then we need to obtain the necessary materials, tools, and supplies to do the work we have chosen. We should involve family members by allowing them to perform tasks suited to their abilities.

Finally, we should do the work together as a family. Each person involved in the work should take pride and feel satisfaction in his or her part of the completed task. In this way, each project can be enjoyable and rewarding for the entire family. Many things can be accomplished when families organize and work together.

• What home improvement or beautification projects could your family do that would cost little or nothing?

• Display visual 27-c, “Temples are clean and beautiful.”

• What impresses you most about the appearance of the temple? Why are temples kept so clean and beautiful?

Church leaders have given us instructions from the Lord to organize, clean, paint, repair, and beautify our homes and property. As we work together as families to beautify our surroundings, we learn skills and habits that help us throughout our lives. When we give time and effort to improve our dwellings and property, we appreciate them more.

The scriptures tell us that the Spirit of the Lord cannot dwell in a place of confusion or uncleanliness. If we make our homes cheerful, clean, and inviting, our loved ones will want to be there. As we live in harmony with gospel principles, the Spirit of the Lord brings us peace and tranquillity.

During a family home evening look around your home and yard with your family to discover things that need to be cleaned, organized, discarded, painted, or repaired. Follow the instructions listed in the lesson to accomplish at least one of these tasks this month. Encourage children to clean a drawer, organize a closet, sweep, or clean a room. Express pride and appreciation to each child for his or her contribution. Determine to improve the spirituality in your home by regularly applying gospel principles in your family life.

• Doctrine and Covenants 109:8 (organize, prepare, and establish a house of God)

Before presenting this lesson:

1. Read lesson 20, “Managing Our Homes Well,” and lesson 31, “Creating an Uplifting Environment in Our Homes” in The Latter-day Saint Woman, Part A.

2. Be prepared to help class members identify areas in or around their homes that need to be cleaned or repaired.

3. Assign class members to present any stories, scriptures, or quotations you wish.