Family Home Evening

What is Family Home Evening you ask?
Here is the LDS church's definition:
Family home evening is a special time set aside each week that brings family members together and strengthens their love for each other, helps them draw closer to Heavenly Father, and encourages them to live righteously.

Family Home Evening was first announced by the First Presidency of the LDS church in 1915. This is what they stated, "We advise and urge the inauguration of a 'Home Evening' throughout the church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord. . . . 'Home Evening' should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel, and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation. For the smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared in the home might be served" (First Presidency letter, 27 April 1915 — Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose).

Since then, counsel has been given that families should set aside Monday nights as their weekly Family Home Evening. A manual has been published which is a fabulous aid.

For the past two years, I have been doing Family Home Evening with some friends of mine. For us, it is a Sunday evening activity because of extenuating circumstances. It has been a great blessing to our family to participate with our friends in their Family Home Evening activities every week. It has brought a greater amount of peace, a greater understanding of and dedication to the gospel. It feels tremendously good to know that we are following the counsel of our prophets... even the counsel that is given to them by our Savior. Family Home Evening has truly fortified our lives and is a valualbe tool in establishing righteous living.

Here is another quote by the 1915 First Presidency:
"If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influence and temptations which beset them."
(First Presidency letter, 27 April 1915 — Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose)

I testify of the importance, need, and power of regular Family Home Evening. It will change your life! It has changed ours!

Here are a few links you can go to and learn how to conduct Family Home Evening in your home or just learn more about it in geneal:
Family Home Evening Resource Book
Official Family Home Evening Website
True to the Faith: Family Home Evening