It\u2019s really hard to watch the news these days and hear once again that a family has been destroyed by selfishness and lack of self-control.\u00a0 All of our families are at risk.\u00a0 We need to help one another stay committed to our husbands and our children.\u00a0 The world cannot offer us enough to forsake them in any way.<\/p>\n
President David O. McKay and his wife Emma, had a golden marriage.\u00a0 They were known for their strong marriage that lasted for sixty-nine years on this earth, but will surely continue through the eternities.\u00a0 It was Pres. McKay who said, \u201cNo success can compensate for failure in the home\u201d.\u00a0 He preached over and over again by word, as well as example, how to value the family.<\/p>\n
I ran across his ten points of advice for a happy home.\u00a0 (I\u2019ve added my own comments alongside them.)\u00a0 These are principles that are everlasting, and we would be wise to honor, teach, and live them still.<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cEver keep in mind you begin to lay the foundation of a happy home in your pre-marital lives.\u00a0 While in courtship you should learn to be loyal and true to your future husband or wife.\u00a0 Keep yourselves clean and pure.\u00a0 Cherish the highest ideals of chastity and purity.\u00a0 Do not be deceived.\u201d\u2014 (So many people laugh when you talk about \u201cideals\u201d, but this is the standard we must aim for if we are to rise above the world and enter into the kingdom of God.)<\/p>\n
2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cChoose your mate by judgment and inspiration, as well as by physical attraction.\u00a0 Intellect and breeding are vital and important in the human family.\u201d\u2014 (Church membership does not guarantee a worthy spouse; involve the Lord in this important decision.)<\/p>\n
3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cApproach marriage with the lofty view it merits.\u00a0 Marriage is ordained of God.\u00a0 It is not something to be entered into lightly or to be dissolved at the first difficulty that arises.\u201d\u2014(The world teaches that marriage is optional; that it is more important to please yourself.\u00a0 With our understanding of the gospel, we know that marriage and eternal life are everlastingly entwined.)<\/p>\n
4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cRemember that the noblest purpose of marriage is procreation.\u00a0 Home is children\u2019s natural nursery.\u00a0 Happiness in the home is enhanced by having children at the fireside.\u201d\u2014(This point disagrees with the world\u2019s view, that marriage is so we aren\u2019t alone.\u00a0 Children are not as important as they once were, or as they clearly should be.)<\/p>\n
5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet the spirit of reverence pervade the home.\u00a0 Have your home such that if the Savior called unexpectedly he could be invited to stay and not feel out of his element.\u00a0 Pray in the home.\u201d– (There are some homes where the spirit is thick and present.)<\/p>\n
6)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLet husband or wife never speak in loud tones to each other.\u201d\u2014(Sometimes this is really really hard to do, but showing self-control is more important than venting feelings.\u00a0 Handle disagreements with care.)<\/p>\n
7)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLearn the value of self-control.\u00a0 We are never sorry for the word unspoken.\u00a0 Lack of self-control is the greatest source of unhappiness in the home.\u00a0 Children should be taught self-control, self-respect, and respect for others.\u201d\u2014(We chose to come to this earth to control our own will by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.\u00a0 The world will never teach this most important of principles.)<\/p>\n
8)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cFasten home ties by continued companionship. \u00a0Companionship fosters love.\u00a0 Do everything to cement love for all eternity.\u201d\u2014(Date your spouse, hold FHE with your children and your grandchildren, see to your parents\u2019 comfort, keep the generations of the family strong, safe, and secure.\u00a0 Do not let Satan destroy your home.)<\/p>\n
9)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMake accessible to children proper literature and music.\u201d\u2014(Satan controls all media.\u00a0 Be on your guard.\u00a0 However, enjoy the beauty of language and glorious melody.)<\/p>\n
10)\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBy example and precept, encourage participation in Church activity.\u00a0 This is fundamental in developing a true character.\u00a0 Church activity should be led, not directed by parents.\u201d\u2014(Parents must set the example in all good things.\u00a0 Church activity includes complete involvement and support in all the auxiliaries and programs sponsored by the Church.\u00a0 If everyone takes Church activity more seriously, programs will run better and be more helpful in the raising of the next generation.\u00a0 However, parents must lead the way.)<\/p>\n
What can Relief Society do?\u00a0 Offer ideas, classes, couple activities, encouragement, and support.\u00a0 Do not allow Relief Society to become a place to gossip, complain, or expose the family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From \u00a0\u00a0Home Memories of David O. McKay, compiled by Llewelyn McKay<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s really hard to watch the news these days and hear once again that a family has been destroyed by selfishness and lack of self-control.\u00a0 All of our families are at risk.\u00a0 We need to help one another stay committed to our husbands and our children.\u00a0 The world cannot offer us enough to forsake them […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[474],"tags":[50,43,381],"class_list":["post-2115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-2","tag-families","tag-marriage","tag-mckay"],"yoast_head":"\n