Many times we as Latter-day Saints are counseled to have a gospel centered home. Well what is that? What constitutes a gospel centered home? Sometimes I find myself running over a quick checklist every day (and to be honest, some days most of my answers are no). Did we have morning family prayer? Did we have family scripture study? Did I read the scripture stories to my children? Did we get in family home evening this week? Did I take advantage of the time I spend with my children to share the gospel? Was there a spirit of peace in our home today?
So how can we start to have a home that is truly gospel centered? Of course we need to be doing the Sunday school answers: praying, scripture study, and family home evening. And as you do those things it will help your home become gospel centered. But is there a little bit more that I can be doing to help the Spirit to truly dwell in my home?
My husband and I have lived in a few different wards, and there are those families whose kids always just seem to turn out great. The kids have sincere, strong testimonies. I know that their kids aren’t perfect, and those families face challenges and trials as well. However these families seem to really support each other in times of need. We are parents of fairly young children, and so we have tried to find out the key to their success.
The biggest thing that has struck me about each of these families is the parents. They are not perfect, but they live their testimonies. The gospel is the most important thing in their life, and it shapes their decisions. The kids know that their parents spend time studying the scriptures. They do have family prayer and scripture study on a regular basis, and family home evenings, but it is more than that. They are helping other families in need. They treat each other and each family member with respect. I truly believe that you teach more by example than any other way. These parents are being wonderful examples.
Another thing that helps is the state that your home is in. It truly makes a difference in everyone’s mood when the house is clean. When your house is clean, you don’t have to spend hours looking for lost items, and I think a general grouchiness is avoided. (Teenager’s rooms are another story—that’s what doors are for.) Also if you put items that will remind you of Christ in your home, it helps. We have a picture of Christ hanging in every room in our house. This is also a good missionary tool. Playing soft music in the background can also help bring the Spirit into your home.
While I am not perfect in any of these areas, each day I try to do a little better. We don’t have to achieve perfection—just reach towards it. What are some things that you have done to help have your home be centered on Christ?