USING MISSIONARY TOOLS IN THE HOME:

Our homes shelter the most important basic unit on earth: the family. The family is ordained of God (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.) “The family is one of God’s greatest fortresses against the evils of our day.” L. Tom Perry, “Train Up a Child,” Ensign, Nov. 1988, 73.; and it will exist throughout time and all eternity. “Father and mother are callings from which we will never be released, and there is no more important stewardship than the responsibility we have for God’s spirit children who come into our families…”). M. Russell Ballard, “Let Our Voices Be Heard,” Ensign, Nov. 2003, 16. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Parents nurture their children, guiding and unconditionally loving each one. Parents are the Lord’s missionaries to their children as they “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6.) “The most important of the Lord’s work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes.” Breck England, “Harold B. Lee: Master Teacher,” Liahona, Feb. 2002, 37.
Strengthening our knowledge of the gospel and testimonies enable us to teach our children “the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77). The gospel blesses families with “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). Through living the gospel of Jesus Christ, our families are blessed as we teach by example:
􀀉 Loving each other
􀀉 Supporting each other in living the gospel
􀀉 Keeping the commandments
􀀉 Being disciplined
􀀉 Paying tithing
􀀉 Being obedient “Obedience is the first law of heaven.” Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Windows of Light and Truth,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 75.
Parents study the gospel with real intent for personal edification and growth; personal prayer draws individuals closer to Heavenly Father allowing greater sensitivity to the Spirit. “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live…” “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102.
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