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| ©Darrell Wyatt |
Yesterday we got kind of a last minute invite to a friend's house for dinner. It was a busy night, but our friend was super willing to wait until the kids finished with their activities, which was really, really kind. The three younger kids went to a movie with a friend, and two of the older kids were at a football game. Finally, at around 7:00, the little kids came home and we headed to our friend's. As soon as we were about to sit down to eat, my cell phone rang, and my oldest daughter needed me to pick her up at the school. So I rudely left dinner, picked her up and came back just as everyone was finishing up. As crazy as this scenario seems, it's not uncommon in our household. The kids are running in all directions, my husband is busy with work, and I'm just trying to keep up with as much of it as I can.
This morning I read of a civil war of sorts that took place amongst the Nephites. The people had become divided between Freemen - people who "had sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government"(Alma 51:6), and Kingmen - people of noble birth who wished to "overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land"(Alma 51:5).
Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus breaking down the wars and contentions among his own people, and subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the seashore. (Alma 51:22)
While the Nephites were disputing among themselves, the Lamanites were able to overthrow quite a few of their cities and gain access to their fortifications, which made it very difficult for the Nephites to be able to fight back.
This made me think about my family. With so much going on, and all of us seeming to head in different directions, family unity seems nearly impossible. But it is essential. Without it, we are opening the door to the adversary who will gladly sneak in when we're too busy to pay attention. Is it possible to put up a united front even when we're apart? I think so. The leaders of the church very wisely implemented Family Home Evening almost exactly a century ago.
In 1915, the First Presidency instructed local leaders and parents to inaugurate a home evening, a time when parents should teach their families the principles of the gospel. The Presidency wrote: “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 influence and temptations which beset them.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, Spiritually Strong Homes and Families, May 1993
Imagine that! Almost 100 years ago, families were struggling to find enough time to spend together, and the Presidency of the Church had the answer. Just set one night a week aside. A night where we can strengthen our family bonds. A time to become unified. A time for me to teach my kids how to act when I can't be with them, so that even when we're apart, we're together in spirit. If we can stay unified and alert, there will be no opportunity for opposing forces to take hold.
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