Capstone Practicum
Family
1 “In 1991 the National Association of
Counties, meeting in Salt Lake City, thought that the lack of home influence
had reached such a point of becoming a crisis in our nation and spent time in
their meetings discussing their concerns. They identified five basic concepts
that could increase every family’s chances for success.”
“First, strengthen relationships
through family activities; second, establish reasonable rules and expectations;
third, build self-esteem; fourth, set achievable goals; and fifth, periodically
evaluate family strengths and needs.”
L.
Tom Perry – “Therefore I Was Taught”
Apr. 1994 General Conference
2) “The Church has established two special times for families to
be together. The first is centered
around the proper observance of the Sabbath day. This is the time we are to
attend our regular meetings together, study the life and teachings of the
Savior and of the prophets. . . .”
“The second time is Monday night. We are to teach
our children in a well-organized, regular family home evening. No other activities
should involve our family members on Monday night. This designated time is to be with
our families.”
L.
Tom Perry – “The Importance of the Family”
Apr. 2003 General Conference
3) “Several of the Brethren and I recently
visited a few of the refugee centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas where
devastated and displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina were staying as they
began to try to put their lives back together. Their stories and situations are
tragic and poignant in many ways, but in all that I heard, what touched me the
most was the crying out for family: “Where is my mother?” “I can’t find my
son.” “I’ve lost a sister.” These were hungry, frightened people who had lost
everything and needed food, medical attention, and help of all kinds, but what
they wanted and needed most was their families.”
“Crisis or transition of any kind reminds
us of what matters most. In the routine of life, we often take our families—our
parents and children and siblings—for granted. But in times of danger and need
and change, there is no question that what we care about most is our families!
It will be even more so when we leave this life and enter into the spirit
world. Surely the first people we will seek to find there will be father,
mother, spouse, children, and siblings.”
M.
Russell Ballard – “What Matters Most is What Lasts Longest” Oct. 2005 General Conference
4) “Love for one’s family is not the love of a martyr. . . “I teach my children to work, but I let them
know I care. I do my part, too.” Giving our time, the listening ear, the
understanding heart, and the unconditional love, even opening doors of
opportunity at times are some ways to serve those we love. But if we deprive
family members of opportunities to learn to work, if we teach them to avoid or
escape the responsibilities for their own actions, if we use them to further
our own ambitions, then we do not serve them well or love them prudently.”
“Give a child an opportunity to work and
contribute in the home, and his love of family will increase. As he is
encouraged to give time and sacrifice to develop his talents—whether they be
academic, music, drama, sports, leadership, or whatever—he will develop a love
for that which brings him success. Children will love those talents or
possessions to which we encourage them to give time and effort.”
“We learn to love that which we serve, and
we serve that which we love.”
Marvin
J. Ashton – “We Serve That Which We Love” Apr. 1981 General Conference
5) “Upon returning home from his day’s work, this father greeted
his boy with a pat on the head and said, “Son, I want you to know I love you.”
“The son responded with, “Oh Dad, I don’t
want you to love me, I want you to play football with me.” Here was a boy
conveying a much-needed message.”
“The world is filled with too many of us
who are inclined to indicate our love with an announcement or declaration.”
“True love is a process. True love
requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be real. Love takes time.”
Marvin
J. Ashton - “Love Takes Time” Oct. 1975
General Conference
6) “The doctrine of
the family begins with heavenly parents. Our
highest aspiration is to be like them. The Apostle Paul taught that God is the
father of our spirits (see Heb. 12:9). From the proclamation we read, “In the
pre-mortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their
Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a
physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and
ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life.””
Robert D. Hales – “The Eternal
Family” Oct. 1996 General Conference
7) “The prophets of
our day have given a similar admonition and warning to parents to set in order
our families. May we be blessed with the inspiration and love to meet
opposition with faith within our families. We will then know that our trials
are to draw us closer to the Lord and to one another. May we listen to a
prophet’s voice and set in order our own homes (see D&C 93:41–49). The family is strengthened as we draw near to the Lord, and
each member of the family is strengthened as we
lift and strengthen and love and care for one another. “Thee lift me and I’ll
lift thee, and we’ll ascend together”” (Quaker proverb).
“May we be able to welcome and maintain the Spirit of the Lord in our
homes to strengthen our families. That each of our family
members can stay on the “straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life”
(2 Ne. 31:18), I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
Robert D Hales – “ Strengthening Families: Our
Sacred Duty” Apr. 1999 General Conference
8) “We teach that
God’s love for His children is infinite. Regardless of race, nationality, or
gender, He loves all of them. He has done so from the beginning and
will continue to do so. He invites all to gain eternal exaltation for their family. His work and His glory is to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life—the exaltation—of His children. “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.””
Russell M. Nelson – “Generations Linked
in Love” Apr. 2010 General Conference
9) “When I hear of a family breaking up, I question if family
home evening and family prayers have been regularly held in that home and if
the law of tithing has been observed. Has that family reverenced the Sabbath
day? Have the parents murmured against Church teachings and leaders? I wonder
what could possibly justify the forsaking of eternal promises made in the
temple, or what could warrant the breaking up of a family with children of
tender years.”
“Why is one family strong, yet another
family weak? The problems are infinitely complex. Yet, there are answers.
Abundant evidence shows that the presence of a firm, loving father in the home
is far more likely to produce responsible, law-abiding children than if the
father is not there, or if he does not function as a father at home. In either
case it throws a double burden on the mother.”
James
E. Faust – “Enriching Family Life” Apr. 1983 General Conference
10) “Faithful
attendance at Church, together with careful attention to the needs of the family, is a near-perfect combination. In Church we are taught the Great Plan of
Happiness. At home we apply
what we have learned. Every call, every
service in the Church brings experience and valuable insights which carry over
into family life. . .”
“I have studied
much in the scriptures and have taught from them. I have read much from what the prophets and
apostles have spoken. They have had a
profound influence upon me as a man and as a father.”
“But most of
what I know about how our Father in Heaven really feels about us, His children,
I have learned from the way I feel about my wife and my children and their
children. This I have learned at home. I have learned it from my parents and
from my wife’s parents, from my beloved wife and from my children, and can
therefore testify of a loving Heavenly Father and of a redeeming Lord.”
Boyd K Packer – “Parents In Zion” Oct. 1998 General
Conference
Families
When God placed man in families He
did an awesome thing.
The aged love and help the young
whose life’s just blossoming.
The parents love their offspring
and they teach them while in youth
Just how to seek for happiness and
where to find the truth.
What joy the babies bring to all
who share those family ties.
We notice he’s got Grandpa’s nose
or she’s got Grandma’s eyes.
We watch them grow as uncles, aunts
and cousins near their home
Or maybe see through photographs if
they’re the type who roam.
The youth have strength to help the
old who now are wise but weak,
While older souls can help the
young to know which paths to seek.
How grateful for my family I’ve
grown throughout the years.
The old ones now have mostly gone,
remembered now, with tears.
I find myself becoming now, with
grandkids of my own
A member of the older set, oh, how
the years have flown!
When God put us in families, He
blessed our lives indeed.
They’ve formed our fondest
memories, it surely is agreed.
No comments:
Post a Comment