How to Fortify Your Family

I was reading ahead in the Sunday School manual for our next lesson.  And I came across the following quote:

• President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 44).

It seems quite simple really -- establish regular Scripture study and you will be blessed.  But it seems like many people and families struggle with this simple commandment.

This is something that's reiterated many times in General Conference talks.  In fact the pattern is so simple and consistent that I can rattle it off from the top of my head.  The keys to raising righteous children and having a successful family are as follows:

1 -- regular personal and family scripture study
2 -- regular personal and family prayer
3 -- weekly family home evening

sometimes also included:
4 -- daily family dinner together
5 -- regular periodic personal interviews with your children

So if you want a successful family with righteous children, establish a pattern in your home of Scripture study, prayer, and family home evening.  It's that simple.  According to President Benson, if you just do the first one -- Scripture study -- the blessings you will receive include: increased testimony, strengthened commitment, fortified families, personal revelation.

Anyway, that quote resonated with me as I read it and I wanted to share it with you.  Along with a reminder of a few simple commandments that will help to strengthen your families and bring many blessings into your home.  If you don't already, I hope you will heed the counsel of Prophets and establish regular scripture study, prayer, and family home evening in your home-- that you may reap the promised blessings.

That's my two cents.