Intro Brothers and Sisters Talk assignment - Inspiration from Conference I have chosen to talk about Families, but

more specifically 'Strengthening Families'. What are the problems we face as families in these days? In address given by Elder

Donald L. Staheli from the seventy about family unity he says 'It has been said that if you think you know a perfect family, you don't know the family very well.' Families have always been facing challenges since the very first family of Adam and Eve. Our families today are no exception with pitfalls and trials around every corner, there are small trials that put the family off balance only temporarily, but there are also big trials which can threaten to break families completely apart. All these trials however come in two different varieties they are either internal or external. An example of an internal family trial could be an argument, misscommunication or something more serious like cheating on a spouse. An example of an external trial could be someone losing their job, being robbed or even a death. Just recently QLD's been through all those floods and cyclones where thousands of families have been affected this is another example of an external family trial. The point I'm trying to make is that there is always going to be some sort of challenge that a family will face and its how well we'll be prepared to meet it that will dertermine the outcome. So it brings me to my next point
What can we do to strengthen families as parents? Disaster can strike our families at any time and we all need to able to fall back on the Lord to pull through. This is why its so important to strenghten our children in the gospel and doctrines of Jesus Christ as much as possible.

The following is an extract from an article by Robert D. Hales, "Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty", Ensign, 1999, 32 "In February of this year, the First Presidency issued a call to all 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. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility. In the February letter, the First Presidency taught that by teaching and rearing children in gospel principles, parents can protect their families from corrosive elements. They further counseled parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform (First Presidency letter, 11 Feb. 1999; cited in Church News, 27 Feb. 1999, 3). With the help of the Lord and His doctrine, all the hurtful effects from challenges a family may meet can be understood and overcome. Whatever the needs of family

members may be, we can strengthen our families as we follow the counsel given by prophets" I'd like to read a scripture from D&C section 68: 25-28 25And 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. 26For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized. 27And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands. 28And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord As parents we are clearly charged with teaching our children the Gospel of Jesus Christ and if we fail do so it will not only be upon our heads, but we'll also be exposed to the "corrosice elements challenges that familys face. But, obviously we shouldn't just teach our children the gospel out of fear of repecussion from Heavenly Father. We're also taught from "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" that " Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. As a father of three soon to be four boys all under the age of six i can testify to the thruthfulness of that statement. My wife and I have faith when we pray for our boys every night that they'll grow up to be good wholesome men, we show respect, love and compassion towards them. We work with them and get them to work, we forgive them, they forgive us. We repent ourselves when we feel like we've let them down. Lastly we have wholesome recreational activities with them. My boys love to swim its their favourite thing to do and when i swim with them we have fun and play together pretty much the whole time in the pool, it definately is a wholesome activity and it definately builds our relationship with each other.
All of us here are not just parents we're also children and we know that strengthening families isn't just the sole purpose of the parents. So What can we do to strengthen families as children? Some things that we can do to strengthen our family as children is actually following the examples that our parents have given us. The 2000 stripling warriors follwed their mothers example perfectly and didn't die in battle because of it. Alma 46: 47,48 reads.

47Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. 48And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it. It was thanks to my mother that i served a mission, i did have a testimony of the gospel and Jesus Christ but it was my mum that gave me the initial desire to serve. Later however when i was in the MTC my testimony strengthened a lot and before i left for the field I had a desire to serve Jesus Christ. By following my mum's teachings of the gospel i was able to strengthen my whole family by being an example as a missionary. As children we can vindicate our parents teachings by recieving all our ordinances, covenants, callings and responsibilities from baptisim all the way through to endowment. We also can help them strengthen their children aka our siblings. I have less active members in my family and i do try to exemplify and encourage them in all aspects of the church but i know i could do a lot more. In a article by Sister Dianne Dib Forbis from the ensign titled "Harmony Among Grown Children" shes says "The Prophet Joseph Smith taught about the importance of families and revealed the truth that families can be sealed together in a permanent relationship for time and for eternity (see D&C 132). Moreover, the Prophet taught that the same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there (D&C 130:2). That idea alone is reason for us to work with our adult siblings to create or strengthen ties that are supportive, loving, joyful, and harmonious." She goes onto mention different methods that will help us keep unity within our families and siblings. 1.Stay in touch - for those of us whose brothers and sisters live far away try a monthly newsletter to keep up to date with family events. My family sent me a news letter once a month on my mission called the "Ngatai News" it kept me up to date and in conctact but it also encouraged my brothers and sisters to get involved by telling me what they were up to. 2.Avoid Gossip - James 1,4 says "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge" Nothing produces discord more quickly than distrust, a natural by-product of gossip. Even siblings who are on the best of terms may be pushed to choose sides if their spouses complete acceptance among other family members is marred or hindered in some way. 3.Connecting through common interets 4.Accepting Other's Differences - It is regrettable that people sometimes focus on differences in the personalities and behaviors of spouses and children of siblings and then use these unfamiliarities to build walls of alienation. Such walls can be broken down with

an attitude of love for the persons involved. 5.Forgiving and Not Condemming - President Gordon B. Hinckley said Even those who transgress, we want you to know that we love you. We cannot condone the sin, but we love the sinner Consistent prayer, faithful fasting, and loving long-suffering will go far in helping straying brothers and sisters find their way back. And while many prayers focus on the lost loved one, prayers should also be offered by those concerned, asking for guidance in remaining humble and approachable, nonjudgmental, and supportive. Blessings that come from using these tools and many others cannot be measured in this life alone. As the prophet Joseph Smith taught the "same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there" When serving my mission the strongest aspect of the gospel that stood out to me and the principal that i enjoyed teaching the most was Families can be together for ever. The thought of living with my family forever makes me want to be a better husband and father. In closing i just want to share an experience i had with my boys not to long ago. Just the other week my boys were playing with their toy guns upstairs and were being very loud, i went upstairs to tell them to keep it quiet, when i saw them they were hiding behind the couch pretending to shoot monsters and baddies. When one of them saw me he playfully shouted "Shoot daddy, get daddy." the other one when he heard this ran over to stand in front of me and shouted "No don't shoot daddy, he's my friend. daddy's my friend." I'm glad they can call me their friend and i hope that as they grow older i can do what is right so that they will still want to be my friend. Testimony