Family Home Evening was established by Joseph F. Smith in early 1915. Since then Latter-day Saints around the world have held Family Home Evening one night a week, to teach the gospel and strengthen familial bonds. Some find great joy in it, others find it to be a burden. I thought maybe sharing some of the prophetic promises concerning Family Home Evening might help each of us to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for this special night.
1915: “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 words of God … 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 influences and temptations which beset them.” The First Presidency (Joseph F. Smith)
1966: “Great blessings come to those who carry out this responsibility. Last year’s lessons have brought many families closer to one another, and have brought a great measure of peace and harmony in many homes. We feel to say to you again, with our love and earnest assurances, that the Lord will grant rich blessings to all who will prayerfully and sincerely carry out this program.” David O. McKay
1970: “The importance of family unity – love and consideration for one another in the family – cannot be overemphasized. Spiritual solidarity in family relationships is the sure foundation upon which the Church and society itself will flourish. This fact is well known and appreciated by the adversary, and as never before, he is using every clever device, influence, and power within his control to undermine and destroy this eternal institution. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ applied in family relationships will thwart this devilish destructiveness.” Joseph Fielding Smith
1971: “Couples whose children are grown can receive strength by setting aside one night a week to be with each other and engage in activities of an eternal importance. Young couples awaiting the joy of their own family can be drawn ever closer together by having regular home evenings. In so doing, they prepare for the great challenges of parenthood.” Joseph Fielding Smith
1974: “We cannot impress too much the importance of having family home evenings once a week . . . that you may be rewarded by a fulfillment of the promise that if fathers and mothers will discharge this responsibility, not one in a hundred of your family, as has been said by the leaders who have preceded us, would ever go astray.” Spencer W. Kimball
To summarize, here are the blessings and requirements.
Blessings: Greater blessings will result – Love at home will increase – Obedience to parents will increase – Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth – The youth will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them – A greater measure of peace and harmony in the home – Will bring families closer together – Families will be blessed with better feelings between husband and wife and all family members – Couples will receive strength – Not one in a hundred of your family will go astray – Deeply increases personal worth, family unity, and love for our fellow man, and trust in our Heavenly Father.
The requirements are simple: Have family home evening – Prayerfully and sincerely carry out this program, and hold quality family home evenings once a week. That doesn’t seem so much to ask for so great a reward. Don’t you think?