"Mom, Are We Christian or Mormon?

Janie asked me and I didn't know."

Shoot! I wish we'd had this family home evening lesson a week sooner.


Mormons are Christians.

Mormons believe in Christ.

I believe in Christ.

I am a Christian.

What Are We Having For Breakfast?

Cold Cereal.

Is it Sunday?

Uh-huh.

Awwwwww.
Do we have to go to church?

Of course we're going to church.

I hate church.

Remember our family home Evening lesson with the Smarties? Remember why it is so important to keep the Sabbath Day Holy?

So that Heavenly Father can bless us.

That’s right and we really need those blessings right now.

But Heavenly Father could have answered
our prayers a long time ago.

I know that Heavenly Father listens to us and will bless us
with what will make us happy. He wants us to be happy.

It would make me happy not to go to church.
Does Heavenly Father want me to be happy?


Why do I always get trapped
on these kid logic conversations?

Answer #13--It's All About Consistency

The power in prayer is cumulative.

My little acts of kindness only amount to anything in their total effect.

My children feel the importance of the temple when they notice that, "we just went to the temple a few weeks ago."

Each Family Home Evening is lonely and insignificant on its own.

Putting up with it and waiting it out and letting it go become patience in their quantity.

Our savings account grows with $50/month. It seems to shrink when I wait until we have enough money to put in.

"In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.

Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes." (David A. Bednar)

On the other hand, something is always better than nothing.

What Language Did Adam and Eve Speak?

"Chinese" "Germany" "Our Language" "English" "French?" "Japanese?" "Mexican?" "The Language from the Scriptures?"

"It was the language of Adam. We call it the Adamic language. Adam and Eve spoke the Adamic language," says Dallin at Family Home Evening. "So what language do you think their sons, Cain, Abel and Seth, spoke?"

"English." "Germany?" "Adamic?"

"That's right. Adam and Eve taught their children in their own language. Adamic.
Seth had children, Adam and Eve's grandchildren. What language do you think they spoke?"

"Adamic?" "Adamic." "Adamic."

"And their children?"

"Adamic." "Adamic." "Adamic."

"Then a long time later Noah and his family came along. What language do you think they spoke?"

"Adamic." "Adamic." "Adamic."

"Right. Then after the flood wicked people decided to build a tower to try to get to heaven. The Lord changed all their languages so that they wouldn't be able to speak to each other. Except for one family. Jared's family prayed and the Lord let them keep their language so that they could still talk to each other. What language did they speak?"

"Chinese!" "English!" "Our Language!"

Answer #1--Family Home Evening Definitely Goes Better...

...When The Kids Are In Charge Of Their Own Part.

I know it says it in all the manuals. I just never really tried it.

We're now on Week 2 of kid conducting, kid giving lesson, kid inventing/choosing game. (I'll be in charge of the treat, which means it will always be something I don't have to make.)

After 328 Family Home Evenings, 209 of which I wanted to strangle my kids (or my husband), and every time asked myself if this counted toward building family unity, we have now had two very beautiful, somewhat inspirational, mostly cooperative Family Nights.

Yeah for us!