This document discusses establishing and nurturing Christ-centered homes and families. It provides counsel from Church leaders on teaching gospel principles to children from a young age, prioritizing family time, and making our homes centers for gospel learning and spiritual strength. Scriptures and quotes encourage parents to teach their children the doctrine of the gospel daily through scripture study, prayer, Sunday activities and by displaying inspirational messages in the home.

1. Establishing, Nurturing,Establishing, Nurturing,
and Defendingand Defending
the familythe family
One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the
world is the power of a Christ-centered home
where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept,
and love abounds. Elder Richard G. Scott

2. Elder Russell BallardElder Russell Ballard
“Daughters of God” April 2008“Daughters of God” April 2008
 As a Church, we have enormous respect and
gratitude to you mothers of young children. We
want you to be happy and successful in your
families and to have the validation and support
you need and deserve.

3. Elder Russell BallardElder Russell Ballard
“Daughters of God” April 2008“Daughters of God” April 2008
What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the
pressure and enjoy your family more?
First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes
in moments. There will be hard times and
frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there
are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

4. Elder Russell BallardElder Russell Ballard
“Daughters of God” April 2008“Daughters of God” April 2008
Second, don’t overschedule yourselves or your
children. We live in a world that is filled with
options. If we are not careful, we will find every
minute jammed… Families need unstructured time
when relationships can deepen and real parenting
can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to
play together

5. Elder Russell BallardElder Russell Ballard
“Daughters of God” April 2008“Daughters of God” April 2008
Third, even as you try to cut out the extra
commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself
to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or
two things that you would like to learn or do that
will enrich your life, and make time for them.

6. Elder Russell BallardElder Russell Ballard
“Daughters of God” April 2008“Daughters of God” April 2008
Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray
deeply about your children and about your role as
a mother.

7. ElderElder
Richard G.Richard G.
ScottScott
When (the Savior) 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.
Doing all we can to invite the
gentle, guiding influence of the
Holy Ghost into our lives is
critical in our attempts to center
our homes on the Savior. Acting
obediently on those promptings
strengthens us even more.

8. God has established families to:God has established families to:
 Bring happiness to His childrenBring happiness to His children
 Allow them to learn correct principles in aAllow them to learn correct principles in a
loving atmosphereloving atmosphere
 And prepare them for eternal lifeAnd prepare them for eternal life
Preach my gospel p. 32Preach my gospel p. 32

9. President Henry B. EyringPresident Henry B. Eyring
 “The question should not be whether we are too tired
to prepare to teach doctrine or whether it would be
better to draw a child closer by just having fun or
whether the child is 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” (Ensign, April 2009)

10. Lois and EuniceLois and Eunice
When I call to remembrance theWhen I call to remembrance the
unfeigned faithunfeigned faith that is in thee, whichthat is in thee, which
dwelt firstdwelt first in thyin thy grandmother Loisgrandmother Lois,,
and thyand thy mother Eunicemother Eunice; and I am; and I am
persuaded is in thee alsopersuaded is in thee also
2 Timothy 1:5, p. 15122 Timothy 1:5, p. 1512

11. “We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to
the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel
principles which will keep them close to the
Church... (First Presidency Letter, 11 February 1999,
emphasis added).

12. Doctrine and Covenants 68: 25,28Doctrine and Covenants 68: 25,28
 And again, inasmuch as a
parents have children in
Zion, or in any of her b
stakes which are
organized, that c
teachthem not to understand
the d
doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the
Son of the living God, and of baptism and the
gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the
hands, whene
eight years old, the f
sin be upon the
heads of the parents.
 And they shall also a
teach their children to pray,
and to walk uprightly before the Lord.

13. Simple ideas for a more gospel-Simple ideas for a more gospel-
centered homecentered home
 Gospel art kit picture (1 x a day)Gospel art kit picture (1 x a day)
Apple a day keeps the doctor away, a scriptureApple a day keeps the doctor away, a scripture
story a day keeps satan awaystory a day keeps satan away

14. Joseph Fielding Smith p. 210Joseph Fielding Smith p. 210
 The child who is taught in righteousness fromThe child who is taught in righteousness from
birth will most likely follow righteousnessbirth will most likely follow righteousness
always…It is the duty of parents to teach theiralways…It is the duty of parents to teach their
children the saving principles of the gospel ofchildren the saving principles of the gospel of
Jesus Christ….you must begin teaching at theJesus Christ….you must begin teaching at the
cradle side.cradle side.

15. Simple ideas for a more gospel-Simple ideas for a more gospel-
centered homecentered home
 Gospel art kit picture (1 x a day)Gospel art kit picture (1 x a day)
 Primary music cds, primary.lds.musicPrimary music cds, primary.lds.music
 Memorizing scripturesMemorizing scriptures

16.  I have a vision of thousands of missionariesI have a vision of thousands of missionaries
going into the mission field withgoing into the mission field with hundredshundreds
of passagesof passages memorized from the Book ofmemorized from the Book of
Mormon so that they might feed the needsMormon so that they might feed the needs
of a spiritually famished world."of a spiritually famished world."
President Ezra Taft Benson, October 1988President Ezra Taft Benson, October 1988
General ConferenceGeneral Conference

17. "I suggest that you memorize scriptures that"I suggest that you memorize scriptures that
touch your heart and fill your soul withtouch your heart and fill your soul with
understanding. (understanding. (Elder Richard G. Scott,Elder Richard G. Scott,
October 1999 General Conference)October 1999 General Conference)
Great powerGreat power can come from memorizingcan come from memorizing
scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge ascriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a
new friendship. It is like discovering a newnew friendship. It is like discovering a new
individual who can help in time of need, giveindividual who can help in time of need, give
inspiration and comfort, and be a source ofinspiration and comfort, and be a source of
motivation for needed change. Elder Scott 2013motivation for needed change. Elder Scott 2013

18. "I have discovered that many times you don't"I have discovered that many times you don't
fully understand a scripture until youfully understand a scripture until you
memorize it. And sometimes I havememorize it. And sometimes I have
memorized a passage because it seemedmemorized a passage because it seemed
important and valuable to me- then afterwardsimportant and valuable to me- then afterwards
I discovered deeper meanings that I hadn'tI discovered deeper meanings that I hadn't
even known were there.even known were there.
When you find a passage that particularlyWhen you find a passage that particularly
impresses you, consider taking the time toimpresses you, consider taking the time to
commit it to memory, word perfect.commit it to memory, word perfect.

19.  Then not only will you be able to rememberThen not only will you be able to remember
it, but you will probably grow in yourit, but you will probably grow in your
understanding as wellunderstanding as well
But that's not all. By memorizing scriptureBut that's not all. By memorizing scripture
you show the Lord that you esteem hisyou show the Lord that you esteem his
words to be of great value-words to be of great value- and then he willand then he will
be more likely to speak to you and give yoube more likely to speak to you and give you
more."more."
Elder Gene R. Cook, "Searching theElder Gene R. Cook, "Searching the
Scriptures", pg. 114Scriptures", pg. 114

20.  Post them on the walls, kitchen cupboards,Post them on the walls, kitchen cupboards,
mirrors, windows, doors, windows,mirrors, windows, doors, windows,

21. Deuteronomy 6:7,9Deuteronomy 6:7,9
 And thou shalt a
teach them (the commandments
of the Lord) diligently unto thy children, and
shalt b
talk of them when thou sittest in thine
house, and when thou walkest by the way, and
when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy
house and on thy gates.

23. Simple ideas for a more gospel-Simple ideas for a more gospel-
centered homecentered home
 Gospel art kit picture (1 x a day)Gospel art kit picture (1 x a day)
 Primary music cds, primary.lds.musicPrimary music cds, primary.lds.music
 Memorizing scripturesMemorizing scriptures
 Post scriptures where they will be seenPost scriptures where they will be seen
 Use Preach my gospelUse Preach my gospel
 Illustrated scripture books, Friend magazine, fheIllustrated scripture books, Friend magazine, fhe
manual, general conference magazinemanual, general conference magazine
all a few dollars at store.lds.orgall a few dollars at store.lds.org

24. Family History bingoFamily History bingo
 What sport did Jay Fitzgerald play? A. Soccer
B. Football C. Football D. Hockey
 Grandma Olsen said, “If you do things for 21
days it will become a habit” True or False
 How many children did Eleazer John Jones and
Mary Elizabeth James Jones have? a. 3 b. 4 c.
6 d. 5
 How long did Great Grandpa study? 1. he didn’t
because he was texting b. 5 min c. 10 hours d. 1
hour

25. Directing children to spirituallyDirecting children to spiritually
building activitiesbuilding activities
 Youth.lds.orgYouth.lds.org
 Scriptures.lds.org (movies with continuous play)Scriptures.lds.org (movies with continuous play)
 Mormon messagesMormon messages
 lds.org/bible-videoslds.org/bible-videos
 Gospel conversations**Gospel conversations**
 Gospel solutions for families****Gospel solutions for families****
 Mormon channel appMormon channel app

26. A System for the Holy SabbathA System for the Holy Sabbath
1st
Sunday- missionary guests, field trips, family
history focus, lesson from mom
2nd
Sunday- bible balderdash, gospel 20 questions,
scriptures charades, Pictionary,
3rd
Sunday -read and report from church
magazines, illustrated scripture stories, church
online resources, lesson from dad
4th
Sunday -individual interviews, faith in God,
personal progress, duty to God, Sunday stations
Every Sunday--Family councils, calendaring,

27. Julie Beck “Doctrine onJulie Beck “Doctrine on
the family”the family”
 This generation will be called upon
to defend the doctrine of the family
as never before. If they don’t know
the doctrine, they can’t defend it.

28. “… There are those who would define the family
in such a nontraditional way that they would
define it out of existence. …
“We of all people, brothers and sisters, should not
be taken in by the specious arguments that the
family unit is somehow tied to a particular phase
of development a moral society is going through.
We are free to resist those moves which downplay
the significance of the family and which play up
the significance of selfish individualism. We know
the family to be eternal.”5
President
Spencer W. Kimball

29. Elder Ballard August 2013Elder Ballard August 2013
 We need more of the distinctive, influential
voices and faith of women. We need you to
learn the doctrine and to understand what we
believe so that you can bear your testimonies
about the truth of all things—whether those
testimonies be given around a campfire at girls’
camp, in a testimony meeting, in a blog, or on
Facebook. Only you can show the world what
women of God who have made covenants look
like and believe.

30. If you keep doing what you’veIf you keep doing what you’ve
been doing,been doing,
You will keep getting the resultsYou will keep getting the results
you have been gettingyou have been getting

31. Alma 37:6,7Alma 37:6,7
 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in
me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and
simple things are great things brought to pass;
and small means in many instances doth
confound the wise. And the Lord God doth
work by means to bring about his great and
eternal purposes; and by very small means the
Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth
about the salvation of many souls.

32. Donald Halstrom April 2012Donald Halstrom April 2012
Some have come to think of activity in the Church
as the ultimate goal. Therein lies a danger. It is
possible to be active in the Church and less active
in the gospel. Let me stress: activity in the Church
is a highly desirable goal; however, it is insufficient.
Activity in the Church is an outward indication of
our spiritual desire. If we attend our meetings,
hold and fulfill Church responsibilities, and serve
others, it is publicly observed.

33. By contrast, the things of the gospel are usually
less visible and more difficult to measure, but they
are of greater eternal importance. For example,
how much faith do we really have? How repentant
are we? How meaningful are the ordinances in our
lives? How focused are we on our covenants?
I repeat: we need the gospel and the Church. In
fact, the purpose of the Church is to help us live
the gospel. We often wonder: How can someone
be fully active in the Church as a youth and then
not be when they are older? …Perhaps the reason
is they were not sufficiently converted to the

34. President Eyring taught, “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.”

35. Elder Richard G. ScottElder Richard G. Scott
I’m sure you can identify the fundamental
principles that center your home on the Savior.
The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and
family prayer, daily personal and family scripture
study, and weekly family home evening are the
essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction
of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular
practices it will be difficult to find the desired and
much-needed peace and refuge from the world.

36. Elder David A. BednarElder David A. Bednar
“Youth of all ages, even infants, can and
do respond to the distinctive spirit of
the Book of Mormon. Children may not
understand all of the words and stories,
but they certainly can feel the “familiar
spirit” described by Isaiah” (Ensign, May
2010)

37. Elder Henry B. EyringElder Henry B. Eyring
““AlwaysAlways””
http://speeches.byu.eduhttp://speeches.byu.edu
I plead with you to return to the scriptures in some wayI plead with you to return to the scriptures in some way
that opens your mind and heart to be taught…Thethat opens your mind and heart to be taught…The
Savior gave us the scriptures, at a price paid by prophetsSavior gave us the scriptures, at a price paid by prophets
we cannot measure, so that we could know Him. Losewe cannot measure, so that we could know Him. Lose
yourself in them. Decide now to read more and moreyourself in them. Decide now to read more and more
effectively than you have ever done before.effectively than you have ever done before.
INVITATIONS