The Benefits of Family Home Evening

I have to give a talk at Ward Conference on Sunday about Family Home Evening and how it has benefitted me, my family, and other guests. I have been thinking of little else for the last week.

When Susan, Gabe & Jacob were younger I'd spend enormous amounts of time preparing lessons, props, posters, etc. for FHE, We used to have a light that we only turned on on Monday nights for FHE - it was a signal to them. We used to sit on big cushions on the floor. We'd make crafts - we'd even do treats!

Nowadays its totally different. Gene & I are too old for the floor - so we've moved to sofas. We still start with a song (usually led by Michelle or Hannah with Michelle choosing America the Beautiful and Hannah choosing You're Beautiful by James Blunt) then we have a lesson. No more puppets, no more props & posters. Usually Dad teaching - pure teaching of the gospel from the scriptures.

It amazes me how the older kids will sit and listen and ask question after question. And it amazes me even more at how the little girls will sit quietly (and always closely next to someone) during the entire time.

When the big kids were younger they never wanted FHE to end - always "one more game please!"

Some things have changed. We still have a closing song (guess which ones!) and we still have a closing prayer on our knees.

We hardly ever have treats anymore. But those same teenagers who you have to drag away from the computer, radio or phone to come to FHE linger long past the closing Amen. Sometimes the gospel discussion continues - with more sophisticated and deeper questions on their part. Sometimes the conversation turns to family memories - always the funniest and most embarrassing ones of course.

And sometimes we all indulge the little girls and play London Bridges Falling Down. You should see the smiles on their faces when they "take the keys" and lock up their 6' tall brother Jacob - or even better 6'3' Dad!

Heaven in Haiku Village for sure!