As we work to improve ourselves and our families, we must remember that the Lord wants us to have joy and happiness in our lives. One of Satan’s most effective tools is discouragement.
Sometimes in our efforts to improve, we forget that change and growth take time. We should remember that overnight perfection, for us or our family members, is impossible. Enjoying our families, despite our flaws and theirs, is one of the joys we should accept.
The Prophet Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church, said,
“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God. But we cannot keep all the commandments without first knowing them, and we cannot expect to know all, or more than we now know unless we comply with or keep those we have already received.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1976], pp. 15556.)
It isn’t always easy to create love and harmony within our families, but it is vital, especially today when we and our children must withstand the growing evil influences around us.
Family – The family is the basic unit of society and needs to be built up to protect against the influences of the world.
Strengthening Husband and Wife Relationships – The unity between a husband and wife is of supreme importance to a healthy family and a happy family.
–Emotional Infidelity: There is more to fidelity than avoiding romantic and physical relationships with others. It also requires complete emotional fidelity.
–A New Look at the Marriage Covenant: Husband and wife as servants to the marriage covenant.
Strengthening Parent and Child Relationships – The unity between parents and their children is also important. Parents and children should be open with each other, and parents ever nurturing.
-Motherhood – The joys and responsibilities of motherhood cannot be filled by anyone other than the mother of a child.
-Fatherhood – A strong father’s role is vital.
-Single Parenting – The task of raising a child or children alone is daunting, but it is possible.
-Encouragement and Praise – These are two of the most effective tools in raising children and developing strong relationships.
Strengthening Relationships with Those around You – Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen, excerpted from a forthcoming book called, What We Need to Know and Do on improving relationships with people in your life.
Strengthening Individual Family Members – Children have individual needs and parents need to be aware of all of them. Some things may be more difficult for some children than others.
The Strength of Mormon Families - Mormons believe that families can be eternal, which prompts them to develop great devotion to their spouses and their children.
The Duties of Parents - Parents have many duties to their children, to promote their happiness and maturity and morality. Here, they are further explained.
Marriages and Families Blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ - Families and marriages can overcome the modern attacks of Satan. By Larry Barkdull. Content made possible by Ilene Olsen and Ron and Bonnie McMillan.
Avoiding Contention: by Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen, excerpted from a forthcoming book called What We Need to Know and Do.
Creating Cooperation in the Home: Help your family work cooperatively, not competitively, to achieve common goals. by Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen, excerpted from a forthcoming book called What We Need to Know and Do.
Counseling Your Children: Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen, excerpted from a forthcoming book called What We Need to Know and Do on how to counsel your children as they grow up.
Parenting Teens Who Date: Are your teenagers dating? Learn how to make this a successful and Christlike experience.
-Morality – Morality is essential to a strong society as well as to a strong marriage and eternal happiness.
Work – How to learn the value of work and teach it to your children.
-Workplace—Making It a Great Place to Be – How to make your workplace a better environment in which to work.
-Efficiency and Effectiveness as Measures of Success – Both are necessary for a positive outcome, but neither should replace real effort in our relationships.
Time – An article on the value of time and how we should use it, excerpted from a forthcoming book by Ed J. Pinegar and Richard J. Allen, called What We Need to Know and Do.
Stress – Stress is something we each deal with, but using it in the right way can have a positive effect.
Meditation – Taking time to meditate can ease the burdens we have in our lives and renew us spiritually.
Habit – Good habits can help us succeed and bad habits can destroy us. Set good habits for yourself and your family.
Debt: How to Be Free of It – Debt enslaves us, and we should never take on more debt than we can handle. Live within your income and teach your children to save.
Take Your Family for a Walk: A simple walk can give you uninterrupted time to bond with your family.
Creating Wholesome Activities: In a world of immorality, you can create homemade wholesome fun in your own home.