Editors’ Table: Home Evening

Editors' Table

Home Evening To the Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and Parents in Zion: Dear Brethren and Sisters: We counsel the Latter-day Saints to observe more closely the commandment of the Lord given in the 68th section of the Doctrine and Covenants "And again, inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her Stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the 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 hands when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents; "For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her Stakes which are organized; "And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of hands, "And they shall also teach their children to pray and to walk up- rightly before the Lord."

The children of Zion should also observe more fully the com- mandment of the Lord given to ancient Israel, and reiterated to the Latter-day Saints :"Honor thy father and thy mother that :

they days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." These revelations apply with great force to the Latter-day Saints, and it is required of fathers and mothers in this Church that these commandments shall be taught and applied in their homes. To this end we advise and urge the inauguration of a "Ho-- -

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. They may thus learn more fully the needs and requirements of their families at the same ;

time familiarizing themselves and their children more thoroughly with the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This "Home Evening" should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, in- strumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific in- struction on the principles of the Gospel, and on the ethical prob- lems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the Nation. For the smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared in the home might be served. Formality and stiffness should be studiously avoided, and all the family should participate in the exercises. These gatherings will furnish opportunities for mutual confi- dence between parents and children, between brothers and sisters, as well as give opportunity for words of warning, counsel and

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advice by parents to their boys and girls. They will provide op- portunity for the boys and girls to honor father and mother, and to show their appreciation of the blessings of home so that the promise of the Lord to them may be literally fulfilled and their lives be prolonged and made happy. We request that the presidents of stakes and bishops through- out the Church set aside at least one evening each mbnth for this purpose and that upon such evenings no other Church duties shall ;

be required of the people. We further request that all the officers of the auxiliary or- ganizations throughout the Church support this movement and en- courage the young people to remain at home that evening, and use their energies in making it instructive, profitable and inter- esting. If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great bless- ings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will in- crease. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Tsrael, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them. Your brethren, Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose, Salt Lake City, Utah, April 27, 1915. First PresideilCV.