"...The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Last night, for Family Home Evening, or FHE (click here to learn more about FHE) our 12 year old son said he had a good idea and wanted to be in charge of it. He was well prepared and we gathered rather late (9:40pm), but it was well worth it. His idea was to have everyone share a talent, 2 minutes or less. We opened with a Primary song (you can find many to choose from here) and said a prayer to begin. This is what the talents were: Dad- flipped a coin on his wrist. Also demonstrated how to twirl numb-chucks using a towel. Mom- blew her nose and can make it "honk" and then danced to "I will Survive", a 30 second short.  Our 9 year old son- walked "weird" on his knees by tucking his feet into his pants. He did many variations of this unusual talent. He tried to show off his belching talents but that happened during his older brothers talents. Our 15 year old son- demonstrated his talent of yo-yo-ing. (Pretty complicated stuff! You can view his video on YouTube here). He displayed some new tricks. Our 12 year old- did boon-doggling or plastic string without looking for 2 minutes and completed a key chain with his younger brothers name on it. And our soon to be 17 year old daughter- showed off her talent of making her head disappear into her sweatshirt, twice. We all laughed and laughed. We had so much fun together. It felt so good to spend this time together and enjoy each other's "talents". We ended with another song, a prayer and sited the scripture, "O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God" (Alma 37:35).

The feeling in our home when we were finished was incredible. We were filled with joy and love for one another. The power that comes through having Family Home Evening was tangible. It strengthens ones family. It brings in a spirit of joy and happiness. We are taught by our prophets, "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities" (The Family Proclamation italics added). When we have good fun together, the Spirit is present and brings the "fruit of the Spirit" which are: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). These feelings from the Spirit feel so good. What's so wonderful is "...all things which are good cometh of God" (Moroni 7:12) and "that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually...every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve Him, is inspired of God" (Moroni 7:13). This is how we can strengthen our families, how we teach them, how we guide them. We invite them and entice them to do good continually. We don't manipulate or coerce them. Christ's way is charity, and "charity never faileth" (Moroni 7:46). We love and lead and invite. We show them the good that is in Christ by the way Christ does everything for us, through love.

The "fruit of the Spirit" can be felt anywhere when we are choosing the good. You don't have to just be in church or some "spiritual/religious" activity. We need to understand that "all things unto [the Lord] are spiritual, and not at any time [has He] given unto [us] a law which was temporal" (D&C 29:34). Everything that is "good" draws us closer to Him and allows us to feel His Spirit more.

The Lord wants us to "come unto Him" in all things. What better place than in our homes, with our families, having a good time together, for us to "feel after Him...[for] He is not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27). President Monson said, "Family Home Evening, we cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program" (Constant Truths for Changing Times). When we have FHE on a regular basis our homes will be filled with "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). This is Christ's power that will strengthen, lift, and help nurture, and protect our families. This I testify.