Transcript Slide 1

CREATING CELESTIAL FAMILIES
T: Doctrine and Application for Creating
Fabulous Families and Marriages
 W: Great Activities to Do on the Sabbath to Bless
You and Your Family
 Th: Effective Family Councils: How, When, and
Why?
 F: Highest Priorities for Raising Valiant Children
Who Will Work Miracles for the Lord Now and
Throughout Eternity

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DOCTRINE AND APPLICATION
FOR CREATING FABULOUS
FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES
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“Brothers and Sisters, The most
important cause of our lifetime
is our families” – Elder M. Russell
Ballard, Conference Report April 2012
TODAY’S ROADMAP: DOCTRINE AND
APPLICATION FOR CREATING FABULOUS
FAMILIES AND MARRIAGES
What is the vision our Heavenly Father and
Savior have for families?
 Motherhood and fatherhood are the noblest
and most demanding, yet most rewarding
careers on earth.
 What is an ideal marriage?
 When we follow the prophets with faith in Jesus
Christ we can go forth with vision, create
celestial families, and have great joy in the
journey.
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A PEOPLE OF PROFOUND LEARNING
Nothing we do while on the earth is of greater
importance than what we do in our homes with
our families.
 -- Preparing for Exaltation Teachers Manual
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
http://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-for-exaltation-teachers-manual/lesson-40-home-a-school-for-eternity?lang=eng
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ELDER BOYD K. PACKER:
“The most sacred place on earth may not be the
temple, necessarily. The chapel, the stake house,
and the temple are sacred as they contribute to
the building of the most sacred institution in the
Church—the home—and to the blessing of the
most sacred relationships in the Church, the
family” (That All May Be Edified [1982], 234–35).
 -- Quoted in Preparing for Exaltation Teachers
Manual
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http://www.lds.org/manual/preparing-for-exaltation-teachers-manual/lesson-40-home-a-school-for-eternity?lang=eng
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ELDER BALLARD
Brothers and sisters, the most
important cause of our
lifetime is our families. If we
will devote ourselves to this
cause, we will improve every
other aspect of our lives and
will become, as a people and as
a church, an example and a
beacon for all peoples of the
earth.
Elder M. Russell
Ballard, Ensign, May 2012 “That
the Lost May Be Found”
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/that-the-lost-may-befound?lang=eng
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THE ROLE OF FAMILIES IN GOD’S PLAN
The family is ordained of God. It is the most
important unit in time and in eternity. Even
before we were born on the earth, we were part of
a family
 As part of our Heavenly Father’s plan, we were
born into families. He established families to
bring us happiness, to help us learn correct
principles in a loving atmosphere, and to
prepare us for eternal life.
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Church Handbook of Instruction p.2
http://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/families-and-the-church-in-gods-plan?lang=eng
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THE ROLE OF FAMILIES IN GOD’S PLAN CONT’D

Parents have the vital responsibility to help their
children prepare to return to Heavenly Father.
Parents fulfill this responsibility by teaching
their children to follow Jesus Christ and live
His gospel.
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Church Handbook of Instruction p.2
http://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/families-and-thechurch-in-gods-plan?lang=eng
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Is
there an
Ideal Family?
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ELDER SCOTT “FIRST THINGS FIRST”
Through the restored gospel we learn there
is an ideal family.
 It is a family composed of a righteous
Melchizedek Priesthood bearer with a righteous
wife sealed to him and children born in the
covenant or sealed to them. With a mother in the
home in an environment of love and service, the
parents teach their children, through example
and precept, the ways of the Lord and His
truths.
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https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/first-things-first?lang=eng
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ELDER SCOTT “FIRST THINGS FIRST”
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They fulfill their divinely appointed roles
mentioned in the family proclamation. Their
children mature by living teachings instilled from
birth. They develop characteristics of obedience,
integrity, love of God, and faith in His holy plan.
In due course, each of those children seeks a
companion with similar ideals and aspirations.
They are sealed in the temple, bear children, and
the eternal plan continues, with generation
strengthening generation.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/first-things-first?lang=eng
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ELDER ANDERSEN “CHILDREN”
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I testify of the great blessing of children and of the
happiness they will bring us in this life and in the
eternities.
…. Many voices in the world today marginalize the
importance of having children or suggest delaying or
limiting children in a family.
In our day prophets and apostles have declared. “The
first commandment , that God gave to Adam and Eve
pertained to their potential for parenthood as
husband and wife. We declare that God’s
commandment for His children to multiply and
replenish the earth remains in force.”
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng
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ULTIMATE GOAL IS THE SAME FOR ALL
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All members, even if they have never married or
are without family in the Church, should strive
for the ideal of living in an eternal family. This
means preparing to become worthy spouses and
loving fathers or mothers. In some cases these
blessings will not be fulfilled until the next life,
but the ultimate goal is the same for all.
- Church Handbook of Instruction 1.3.3
http://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/families-and-the-church-in-gods-plan?lang=eng#1.3.3
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“WHAT MATTERS MOST IS WHAT LASTS
LONGEST” ELDER BALLARD
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I believe the mission statement for mortality
might be “to build an eternal family.” Here on
this earth we strive to become part of extended
families with the ability to create and form our
own part of those families.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/what-matters-most-is-what-lasts-longest?lang=eng
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FAMILY REUNION SHIRT
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GRANDPA’S KISS
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First and Firmest to Follow the Brethren
YOUR FAMILY MOTTO…?
Take 30 seconds… Consider what is the purpose
and vision for my family?
 Does my family have a motto? Should it? How
could having a motto or mission statement that
reflects the Lord’s vision for my family bless my
family?
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DOES YOUR FAMILY MOTTO REFLECT
YOUR VISION?
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ELDER HENRY B. EYRING
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A wise parent would never miss a
chance to gather children
together to learn of the doctrine of
Jesus Christ. Such moments are
so rare in comparison with the
efforts of the enemy. For every
hour the power of doctrine is
introduced into a child’s life,
there may be hundreds of hours
of messages and images denying
or ignoring the saving truths.
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Elder Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of
Teaching Doctrine” Conference Report,
April 1999
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/the-power-ofteaching-doctrine?lang=eng
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ELDER HENRY B. EYRING CONT….

The question should not be whether we are too
tired to prepare to teach doctrine or whether it
wouldn’t be better to draw a child closer by just
having fun or whether the child isn’t beginning to
think that we preach too much. The question
must be, “With so little time and so few
opportunities, what words of doctrine from me
will fortify them against the attacks on their
faith which are sure to come?” The words you
speak today may be the ones they remember.
And today will soon be gone.
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Elder Henry B. Eyring, “The Power of Teaching Doctrine”
Conference Report, April 1999
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/the-power-of-teaching-doctrine?lang=eng
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Wednesday’s class on how to use the Sabbath to
Teach and Bless your Family – the Doctrine and
Detailed Application
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ELDER SCOTT “FOR PEACE AT HOME”
Regardless of your circumstances, you can center
your home and your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
for He is the source of true peace in this life.
 Be certain that every decision you make, whether
temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the
Savior would have you do. When He is the center
of your home, there is peace and serenity. There
is a spirit of assurance that pervades the home,
and it is felt by all who dwell there.
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http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng
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IDEAS
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FOR
CHRIST CENTERED HOME1
Sing Hymns as the children are waking and you are
preparing breakfast
Have family devotional at/around Breakfast
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Sing Hymn together – 1st Presidency Preface Hymnbook
Prayer
Scripture Reading (3 mins in Book of Mormon)
Scripture Memorization
5-15 minutes total
Kisses and Hugs Goodbye as children and spouse go to
their school or work
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Specific time in the morning (perhaps 10 am)
 Have Pre-school or scripture reading time with
your preschoolers
 Use nursery manual pictures online, in book, the
resources are endless.
 Love and be with your children without
interruption for 15 mins to an hour (whatever
you can give)
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Before Naps
 Read to your children as they lay down for their
naps
 Select scripture stories that show who true
heroes really are
 Some children form their heroes as young as 3, so
you deliberately teach and testify to them
(through out the day) of Heavenly Father’s real
heroes and valiant warriors.
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LUNCHTIME
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Use gospel in art pictures to teach a 3 min
spiritual lesson to teach a scripture story to your
children each day at lunch time. These minutes
and days will add up and your children will be
the greatest generation of missionaries and
valiant mothers and fathers and church leaders.
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LACY’S WALL
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HOME FROM SCHOOL
Before children arrive home from school, prepare
yourself the hours before to greet them and give
them your full attention
 This means that shopping, visiting teaching,
housework, some things that need to be done, are
done before the children get home
 When they get home, greet them with a snack
and talk to them about their day
 Then children do homework together
 If you have a lot of little children, it’s helpful to
help the oldest child, help the younger child, and
be their tutor
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After an hour or two of homework, children can
have free time or play time
 Sometimes having this structure for children in
the home, is more important to their eternal
welfare than running to team sports or outside
the home activities, even though these things
might be good.
 Think: good, better, best.
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1ST PRESIDENCY LETTER FEB. 11TH 1999
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“However worthy and appropriate other demands
or activities may be, they must not be permitted
to displace the divinely-appointed duties that
only parents and families can adequately
perform.”
http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,5154-1,00.html
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Half hour before dinner time, children return
from playing and their activities to do their room
checks (3x5 card by the light-switch) and help
prepare dinner and dad’s arrival (even if he isn’t
able to be there for dinner and family time)
 Sing “I’m so glad when daddy comes home” at
Dad’s arrival
 Family scripture study before or after dinner
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DINNER TIME
After dinner
 Family responsibilities clean up of dinner
 Bed Time
 Mother or dad reads to the children (if you have
several children in different bedrooms, read in
hallway/ one child read in their bed)
 Kneel by their bed for prayer
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MOM AND DAD
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Spend 15 minutes with your spouse (or yourself)
before bed and discuss the home evening lesson
you just had or will have, tues – priesthood
lesson, wed – RS lesson, thurs – yw/ym lesson,
Friday – Date night, Saturday night – lesson for
Sunday church (with children too), Sunday –
specifics for Gospel Study discussed on Tuesday.
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THE FAMILY IS ORDAINED OF GOD

“The Family is Ordained of God. Marriage
between Man and Woman is essential to his
eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth
within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared
by a Father and a Mother who honor marital
vows with complete fidelity.”
-The Family: A Proclamation to the World
https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation
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FATHERS ARE TO PRESIDE, PROVIDE, AND
PROTECT

By divine design, Fathers are to preside over
their families in love and righteousness and
are responsible to provide the necessities of life
and protection for their families.
-The Family: A Proclamation to the World
https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation
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“GREAT THINGS REQUIRED OF THEIR
FATHERS” EZRA TAFT BENSON
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Yes, these times require great things from
fathers, and so does the Lord. Three
requirements are: create a home where love and
the Spirit of the Lord may abide; bring up
children in light and truth; and set your homes in
order.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1981/04/great-things-required-of-their-fathers?lang=eng
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“GREAT THINGS REQUIRED OF THEIR
FATHERS”
EZRA TAFT BENSON
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The sacred title of “father” is shared with the
Almighty. In the Church men are called and
released. Did you ever hear of a mortal father
being released?
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1981/04/great-things-required-of-their-fathers?lang=eng
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“GREAT THINGS REQUIRED OF THEIR
FATHERS”
EZRA TAFT BENSON
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Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it
is a matter of desire, diligence, and
determination to see one’s family exalted in the
celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing
else really matters.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1981/04/great-things-required-of-their-fathers?lang=eng
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THE POWER OF TEACHING YOUR FAMILY
ON THE SABBATH (WEDNESDAY'S CLASS)
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Leaders should ensure that Sunday meetings are
not so numerous that there is little time for
parents and children to be together on that day.
When possible, leaders should avoid scheduling
Sunday meetings other than those in the
standard three-hour schedule, leadership
meetings in the early mornings, and occasional
meetings on evenings.
Church Handbook of Instruction p. 138
https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/meetings-in-the-church
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RUSSELL M. NELSON

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the
highest, holiest service to be assumed by
mankind. It places her who honors its holy
calling and service next to the angels.”
• – Russell M. Nelson Ensign, May 1999,38
• http://www.lds.org/ensign/1999/05/our-sacred-duty-to-honor-women
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"The homemaker has the ultimate career. All
other careers exist for one purpose only and that is to support the ultimate
career." — C.S. Lewis
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/20606-the-homemaker-has-the-ultimate-career-all-other-careers-exist
http://bardfan.blogspot.com/2009/10/it-is-mystery-where-did-this-cs-lewis.html
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THE LORD SPEAKS TO MOTHERS
“In this age when more and more women are turning to
daily work, how tremendous it is, once in a while, to stop
and recognize that the greatest service that any woman
will ever perform with be in nurturing, teaching, lifting,
encouraging, and rearing her children in righteousness and
truth. There is no other thing that will compare with
that regardless of what she does. I hope that the
women of the Church will not slight their greatest
responsibility in favor of a lesser responsibility. To the
mothers of this church, every mother who is here this day, I
want to say that, as the years pass, you will become
increasingly grateful for that which you did in molding the
lives of your children in the direction of righteousness and
goodness and integrity and faith.”


President Gordon B. Hinckley (Heber City/Springville, Utah,
regional conference, 14 May 1995)
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/12/excerpts-from-recent-addresses-of-president-gordon-b-hinckley?lang=eng
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THE LORD SPEAKS TO MOTHERS CONT’D
“I think I can share this with you. As I sat in the
Tabernacle at the last conference and was sustained
by the people of this church, there came before me in
my mind’s eye, the picture of my mother when I was a
little boy. And I’m sure she must have thought then
that I wouldn't amount to much because I was not an
easy little boy to deal with. I am grateful that I have
the opportunity in my old age to bring honor to her
name. …It’s been the mothers who have been the
great carriers and purveyors of faith throughout the
history of this church. I believe that with all my
heart”
President Gordon B. Hinckley (Heber City/Springville, Utah,
regional conference, 14 May 1995)
http://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/12/excerpts-from-recent-addresses-of-president-gordon-bhinckley?lang=eng
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ELDER BALLARD QUOTES PRESIDENT
JOSEPH F. SMITH
One hundred years ago, President Joseph F.
Smith connected happiness directly to the family
and admonished us to focus our efforts there. He
said: “There can be no genuine happiness
separate and apart from the home. … There is no
happiness without service, and there is no
service greater than that which converts
the home into a divine institution, and
which promotes and preserves family life.
… The home is what needs reforming” (Teachings
of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F.
Smith [1998], 382, 384).


Elder M. Russell Ballard, Ensign, May 2012 “That the
Lost May Be Found”
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/that-the-lost-may-be-found?lang=eng
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Joseph F. Smith said: “There can be no
genuine happiness separate and apart
from the home, and every effort made
to sanctify and preserve its influence is
uplifting to those who toil and sacrifice
for its establishment. Men and women
often seek to substitute some other life
for that of the home; they would make
themselves believe that the home
means restraint; that the highest
liberty is the fullest opportunity to
move about at will. There is no
happiness without service, and there is
no service greater than that which
converts the home into a divine
institution, and which promotes and
preserves family life” (Teachings of
Presidents of the Church: Joseph F.
Smith [1998], 382).
http://www.lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Manuals/TPTC_JosephFSmith_35744_eng.pdf
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MOTHERHOOD HAS ETERNAL INFLUENCE
AND IS A NOBLE AND DIVINE CALLING
A mother has far greater influence on her
children than anyone else, and she must
realize that every word she speaks, every act,
every response, her attitude, even her
appearance and manner of dress affect the
lives of her children and the whole family. It
is while the child is in the home that he gains
from his mother the attitudes, hopes, and
beliefs that will determine the kind of life he
will live and the contribution he will make to
society.
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President N Eldon Tanner, No Greater Honor: The Woman’s
Role, New Era Jan 1977
http://www.lds.org/new-era/1977/01/no-greater-honor-the-womans-role?lang=eng
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TO THE MOTHERS IN ZION: PRESIDENT
EZRA TAFT BENSON, FEB 1987

10 Ways to Spend Time with Children

Be at the Crossroads
Be a Real Friend
Read to Your Children
Pray with Your Children
Have Weekly Home Evenings
Be Together at Mealtimes
Read Scriptures Daily
Do Things as a Family
Teach Your Children
Truly Love Your Children
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http://fc.byu.edu/jpages/ee/w_etb87.htm
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THE FAMILY: A PROCLAMATION TO THE
WORLD
Successful marriages and families are
established and maintained on principles of:
 faith,
 prayer,
 repentance,
 forgiveness,
 respect,
 love,
 compassion,
 work,
 and wholesome recreational activities.

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation
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AN IDEAL MARRIAGE
“An ideal marriage is a
true partnership between
two imperfect people,
each striving to
complement the other, to
keep the commandments,
and to do the will of the
Lord.”
Elder Russell M.
Nelson, Conference Report April
1999
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/our-sacred-duty-tohonor-women?lang=eng
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THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST

The way to create successful marriages and
families is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Your happiness in this life
and throughout eternity
depends largely on whether
you are “valiant in the
testimony of Jesus” (D&C
76:79; see also verses 51, 74,
101).
True to the Faith p.179
As you remember the Savior
and follow Him, you truly
can be of good cheer. You
can experience real, enduring
peace at all times. You can
find hope in the Savior’s first
words to His disciples after
His Resurrection: “Peace be
unto you” ( John 20:19).
True to the Faith p.114
http://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/l
anguage-materials/36863_eng.pdf
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Do you want your children to have self-esteem?
 Listen simply to what the Lord has said.
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“FOR PEACE AT HOME”

“When we obey the commandments of the Lord
and serve His children unselfishly, the natural
consequence is power from God—power to do
more than we can do by ourselves. Our insights,
our talents, our abilities are expanded because
we receive strength and power from the Lord. His
power is a fundamental component to
establishing a home filled with peace.”
-Richard G. Scott
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng
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EZRA TAFT BENSON
“If we love God, do His will, and fear His
judgment more than men’s, we will have selfesteem.”
 -Beware of Pride

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