During general conference of April 2019, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum the Twelve Apostles spoke of our Heavenly Father’s ‘Great Love He Has for His Children’, evidenced by the “new emphasis on home-centered gospel study and living. . . also the resources that are provided by the Church—a great opportunity for lovingly preparing eternal families and individuals to meet and live with God.” 21
Elder Cook continued: “When a man and woman are sealed in the temple, they enter the holy order of matrimony in the new and everlasting covenant, an order of the priesthood.22 Together they obtain and receive priesthood blessings and power to direct the affairs of their family. Women and men have unique roles as outlined in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,”23 but their stewardships are equal in value and importance.24 They have equal power to receive revelation for their family. When they work together in love and righteousness, their decisions are heaven blessed.
Those who seek to know the will of the Lord as individuals and for their families must strive for righteousness, meekness, kindness, and love. Humility and love are the hallmark of those who seek the Lord’s will, especially for their families.
Perfecting ourselves, qualifying ourselves for the blessings of covenants, and preparing to meet God are individual responsibilities. We need to be self-reliant and anxiously engaged in making our homes a refuge from the storms that surround us25 and “a sanctuary of faith.”26 Parents have a responsibility to lovingly teach their children. Homes filled with love are a joy, a delight, and a literal heaven on earth.27
My mother’s favorite hymn was “Love at Home.”28 Whenever she heard the first phrase, “There is beauty all around when there’s love at home,” she became visibly touched and teary. As children we were aware that we lived in that kind of home; it was one of her highest priorities.29
In addition to encouraging a loving atmosphere in the home, President Nelson has focused on limiting media use that disrupts our primary purposes.30 One adjustment that will benefit almost any family is to make the internet, social media, and television a servant instead of a distraction or, even worse, a master. The war for the souls of all, but particularly children, is often in the home. As parents we need to make sure that media content is wholesome, age appropriate, and consistent with the loving atmosphere we are trying to create.
Teaching in our homes needs to be clear and compelling31-see below but also spiritual, joyful, and full of love.
I promise that as we focus on our love for the Savior and His Atonement, make Him the centerpiece of our efforts to gather Israel on both sides of the veil, minister to others, and individually prepare to meet God, the influence of the adversary will be diminished and the joy, delight, and peace of the gospel will magnify our homes with Christlike love.32 I testify of these doctrinal promises and bear a sure witness of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice in our behalf, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Again, for Elder Cook’s complete talk, read from the May 2019 Ensign page 76-80 or click ‘Great Love He Has for His Children’,
Reference 31. In a sense, the home is like a one-room school for children of all ages. When teaching the 11-year-old, we can’t ignore the 3-year-old.
