Understanding the eternal nature of the family is a critical element in understanding Heavenly Father’s plan for His children. The adversary, on the other hand, wants to do everything in his power to destroy Heavenly Father’s plan. In his attempt to defeat God’s plan, he is leading an unprecedented attack on the institution of the family.

Richard J. Maynes

Seventy

HELAMAN CHAPTER

1

CORIANTUMR

ZARAHEMLA

GOVERNMENT

BELIEF

GUARDS IN THE LAND

LAMANITES /

CORIANTUMR = SATAN

ZARAHEMLA = OUR HOMES

GOVERNMENT = HUSBAND AND

WIFE

GUARDS IN THE = SMALL AND

SIMPLE THINGS

HELAMAN CHAPTER 1READ verses 17-20

17) Therefore Satan did stir them up to anger, and he did gathertogether his armies, and Satan did appoint himself to be their leader anddid cause that they should march down to the homes of the members tobattle against the Latter Day Saints.18) And it came to pass that because of so much contention and somuch difficulty between husband and wife, that they had not done thesmall and simple things in their homes; for they had supposed thatSatan durst not come into the heart of their home to attack their greathome.19) But it came to pass that Satan did march forth at the head of hisnumerous host, and came upon the homes of the members, and hismarch was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time forhusband and wife to build the testimonies of the family.20) Therefore Satan did cut down the watch by the entrance of thehomes, and did march forth with his whole army into the homes, and hedid slay every one who did oppose him, insomuch that he did takepossession of the entire home.

MOSIAH CHAPTER 2

King Benjamin to his people

32) But, O my people, beware lest there shall arisecontentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit,which was spoken of by my father Mosiah.33) For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him wholisteth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, andremaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinkethdamnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages aneverlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of Godcontrary to his own knowledge.

REMOVING CONTENTION AT THE PARENT/COUPLE LEVEL

1) ELEPHANTS DON’T BITE, BUT

FLEAS DO

2) BY SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS, GREAT

THINGS ARE BROUGHT TO PASS

3) LINE UPON LINE, PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT

4 RESOLUTIONS TO START …

TODAY

-CHALLENGE-RESOLVE TO DO

1. Date Night

2. Temple Attendance

3. Couples Prayers

4. Fathers / Mother Interviews & Wife

Interviews

Does Date Night Matter?

Figure 1 shows that husbands and wives who engaged in couple time with their mates at least once a week were approximately 3.5 times more likely to report being “very happy” in their marriages, compared to those who enjoyed less quality time with their spouse.

Does Date Night Matter?

Couple time is indeed associated with higher reports of satisfaction with Communication

Does Date Night Matter?

Couple time is indeed associated with higher reports of Sexual Satisfaction

The Date Night/Temple Challenge

Increase the Quantity and Quality of Date Nights with your spouse:

1. Increase # of Date Nights / Month by 1

-If you have 1/month have 2

-If you have 2/month have 3….. Etc.

2. One Date Night / Month – Temple

-Be Temple Worthy Starting Today

PRAY AS A COUPLE

I know of no single practice that will have a more salutary effect upon your lives than the practice of kneeling together as you begin and close each day. Somehow the little storms that seem to afflict every marriage are dissipated when, kneeling before the Lord, you thank him for one another, in the presence of one another, and then together invoke his blessings upon your lives, your home, your loved ones, and your dreams.

“God then will be your partner, and your daily conversations with him will bring peace into your hearts and a joy into your lives that can come from no other source. Your companionship will sweeten through the years; your love will strengthen. Your appreciation for one another will grow”

(President Gordon B. Hinckley in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 83; or Ensign,

June 1971, 72).

PRAYER TOGETHER

• Kneel Together

• Give Thanks For Your Spouse

• Ask For Specific Blessings He / She May Need

• Bring Your Heavenly Father Into Your

Relationship

FATHER’S / MOTHER’S INTERVIEWS / PWI

Alma 45: 2 - 9

FORMAL INTERVIEWS

• Start with prayer

• Make them consistent – every month

• Make them short & sweet

• Ask the hard questions – they expect

them and are ready to respond

• Bless and Testify – Alma’s example

INFORMALINTERVIEWS

Formal interviews make the informal interviews a huge success!!!

WHAT IS A PWI???

PERSONAL WIFE INTERVIEW

- The wife can ask any question at any time

- Helps in holding the priesthood accountable in the home

FAMILY SCRIPTURES FAMILY PRAYER

FAMILY HOME EVENING ATTEND TEMPLEATTEND CHURCH

CONTENTION

Date Night and

Temple

InterviewsPrayer

HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

MOSIAH 18:21-22• Remove Contention From The Home

• Look Forward With “One Eye”

• Having “One Faith” & “One Baptism”

• Hearts Knit Together In Unity & Love

• Become The Children Of God