100 Year Old Promise Comes True

 

"Games with my Mom and Dad make family night fun" shared 7 year old Hyrum as he laughed with his sisters during Family Home Evening in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world set aside a few hours one night a week to share time with their families as they seek to follow promises given by Church Leaders over 100 years ago.

In 1915 Joseph F. Smith, President of the Church said "We advise and urge the inauguration of a 'home evening' throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord, familiarizing themselves and their children more thoroughly with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This home evening should be devoted to prayer, songs, instrumental music, scripture reading, family topics, and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel and on the ethical problems of life."

Ian and June Idang became parents almost nine years ago. Billery, their first born was named after Bill and Beverly Telford, senior missionaries serving in Malaysia. The Telford's taught the principle of home evening to this young couple who have made an effort to embrace the concept. Each Monday they gather their five children for singing and sharing some life lesson.

"The most important thing is that our family bond becomes stronger" says Ian, after teaching his family about honesty. "Without Family Home Evening, I cannot be the father I am trying to be."  June told us they often invite neighbors and friends to share their evening together. "People see how close we are as a family. They are surprised we can have a lesson with all our little kids. We are not perfec, but we share love during the lesson and our children know we are trying." Nine year old Billery said, "I like having lessons in Home Evening. I feel good when I learn and my Mom and Dad are my best teachers".

Indeed the Idang's are reaping the blessings promised by President Smith one hundred years ago when he said, "If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them."