Family Time

A few years ago, I was overwhelmed by my many jobs, public service, Church responsibilities, and the needs of my family. I was concerned that I was not giving any of them the attention that they needed.

On March 12, 2012 Elder David A. Bednar, came to the Dominican Republic, and I dared to ask him, “How can we attend to the affairs of the Lord, our family and all the other commitments?” He said, like a juggler’s strategy to keep all the spinning plates in motion we also must be wise in the distribution of our time so that each obligation provides quality actions.

I felt peace in his profound answer, and I desired to better organize my time, identify how to use it wisely, honor commitments and dedicate quality time to my family.

Reflecting on “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” we remember that “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. …

“Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to God’s presence and for families to be united eternally. …

“The family is ordained of God.”¹

We read in Alma 43:9: “And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges, yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according to their desires.”

I am grateful for my eternal companion and her understanding of Heavenly Father’s plan. Through her, I have seen God’s hand in the teachings that a good wife and mother seeks to instill.

As we share quality time with our family, express love, pray, read the scriptures, visit the temple, seek spiritual well-being, help with chores, eat, play, and go for walks. These simple activities that we enjoy allow us to develop strong bonds.

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” instructs: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other, and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.”

In the teachings of President David O. McKay (1873–1970) we read, “The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”²

In the April 2020 general conference, Elder L. Whitney Clayton in his talk “The Finest Homes” shared four observations:

“First, from the Lord’s perspective, establishing the finest homes has everything to do with the personal qualities of the people who live there. These homes aren’t made fine in any important or lasting way by their furniture or by the net worth or social status of the people who own them. The finest characteristic of any home is the image of Christ reflected in the home’s residents. What matters is the interior design of the souls of the inhabitants, not the structure itself. . . .

“Second, residents in the finest homes make time to study the scriptures and the words of living prophets every day. President Russell M. Nelson has invited us to ‘transform’ and ‘remodel’ our homes through gospel study. His invitation recognizes that fine homes house the tender, vital work of personal growth and remodeling our weaknesses. Daily repentance is a transformative tool that enables us to grow a little kinder, more loving, and more understanding. Studying the scriptures brings us closer to the Savior, whose generous love and grace assist us with our growth. . . .

“Third, fine homes follow the blueprint created by the Lord for His finest home, the temple. Building a temple begins with basic steps—clearing brush and leveling land. Those initial efforts to ready the ground might be compared to keeping the basic commandments. The commandments are the foundation on which discipleship is built. Steady discipleship leads us to become firm, steadfast, steady, and immovable, like the steel framework for a temple. This steady framework allows the Lord to send His Spirit to change our hearts. Experiencing a mighty change of heart is like adding beautiful features to the interior of a temple. . . .

“Fourth, the finest homes are refuges from the storms of life. The Lord has promised that those who keep the commandments of God ‘prosper in the land.’ God’s prosperity is the power to press forward despite the problems of life.”³

May we identify opportunities for family sharing and counseling, paying attention to our spouse, and together seeking the Lord’s constant guidance to make wise decisions.

In the April 2023 general conference our beloved prophet Russell M. Nelson told us:

“Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him! Follow Him!”⁴

I know that Jesus Christ lives, He and our Heavenly Father visited Joseph Smith who was instrumental in His hands to restore His church and translate the Book of Mormon, Russell M. Nelson is a prophet, seer and revelator; And I recognize him as the only person on earth authorized to exercise all priesthood keys, I know that families can be eternal and that we have a responsibility to properly use our time to be instruments in the Lord’s hands so that together we will achieve the promised blessings.