The other day, while going down the freeway, I passed a billboard that invited families to come to family night activities. I immediately thought of all the places that that might include: museums, gardens, movie houses, entertainment centers, etc.

It’s a nice idea to go, as an entire family–ANYWHERE–just for fun. But the next thought that entered my head was–So, if a family goes out to play every Family Home Evening, when does a family ever sit down and talk about gospel principles?

Having fun with our families is very important. Our children need to enjoy good times and good memories. But there is much more to raising a happy, well-adjusted, family.

We all know how important example is and most of our teaching will come in this way. A good example is an unspeakable act of love we give to our children. Without saying one word, we can be a strong influence for both good…and evil.

But nothing replaces teaching the word of God, in its purest form, from the scriptures–parent to child.

Mosiah 4:15 says, “But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.”

Russell M. Nelson said, “With this sacred charge in mind, let us consider what we should teach. Scriptures direct parents to teach faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Parents are to teach the plan of salvation and the importance of living in complete accord with the commandments of God. Otherwise, their children will surely suffer in ignorance of God’s redeeming and liberating law. Parents should also teach by example how to consecrate their lives–using their time, talents, tithing, and substance to establish the Church and kingdom of God upon the earth.” (CR, Oct 2001)

That’s a lot of important stuff to teach. So, when do you sit down with your children and talk about these principles? Do you think they’re too young to understand? Is it one of those things you’ll do when you get around to it? Do you feel like they’ll learn that sort of thing in Church, so you don’t have to worry too much about it?

It is the parents’ responsibility to teach their own child the gospel, if they have that knowledge themselves.

D&C 68:25 states: “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 the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.”

Verse 28: “And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord.”

Verse 31: “Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness.”

“I have heard men and women say that they were going to let their sons and daughters grow to maturity before they sought to teach them the principles of the gospel, that they were not going to cram the gospel down them in their childhood, before they were able to comprehend it. When I hear men and women say this, I think they are lacking faith in the principles of the gospel and do not comprehend it as they should. The Lord has said it is our duty to teach our children in their youth, and I prefer to take His word for it rather than the words of those who are not obeying His commandments…I may know that the gospel is true, and so may my wife; but I want to tell you that your children will not know that the gospel is true, unless they study it and gain a testimony for themselves. Parents are deceiving themselves in imagining that their children will be born with a knowledge of the gospel.” (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, pgs 155-56)

Monday nights have been set apart, by the Church, to spend time with our families. We are, of course, free to spend it any way we choose. Having fun with the kids is memorable and relaxing. But, be sure to reserve some time for gospel study, teaching principles that will strengthen your children when they need it most.

Here are some ideas to finding time to fulfill this important, and loving, commandment:

• 1-2 Mondays a month.
• Sundays, before or after your meetings.
• While you are working around the house together.
• While driving from one place to the next.
• Bedtime.
• Morning Scripture Reading Time.
• Around the dinner table.
• Casually, after they get home from school.
• When your child looks sad and needs a hug or word of encouragement.
• Whenever you are impressed to speak up.

And remember, you can’t teach your child something you do not know for yourself. Make sure your testimony is bright and shiny. See that you are praying, reading, and obeying regularly. Study the scriptures, read faith-promoting stories, and experience Christ in your own life. Then, when your children need powerful words of doctrine, you will have something powerful to offer them.