2019
A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells (excerpts)
May 2019


“A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells (excerpts),” New Era, May 2019, 12–13.

A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells (excerpts)

Image
a family at general conference

On this date in 1830, Joseph Smith organized the Church under the direction of the Lord. It was done in the Whitmer family home near Fayette, New York. …

Although I don’t know what the Prophet Joseph said or how he looked when he stood before that little group, I know what those people with faith in Jesus Christ felt. They felt the Holy Ghost, and they felt that they were in a holy place. They surely felt that they were united as one. …

My purpose today is to teach what I know of how we can qualify for that feeling more often and invite it to last longer in our families. As you know from experience, that is not easy to do. Contention, pride, and sin have to be kept at bay. The pure love of Christ must come into the hearts of those in our family. …

… Building faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning of reversing spiritual decline. …

Your faith in the Savior has grown as you followed President Russell M. Nelson’s suggestion to reread the Book of Mormon. You marked passages and words that referred to the Savior. Your faith in Jesus Christ grew. But like a new plant, such faith in Jesus Christ will wither unless you find continued resolve to ponder and pray to increase it. …

In addition to your example of growing in faith, your praying as a family can play a crucial part in making home a sacred place. …

Because none of us is perfect and feelings are easily hurt,

families can become sacred sanctuaries only as we repent early and sincerely. …

Our family members will grow in their desire to share the gospel as they feel the joy of forgiveness. That can come even as they renew covenants when they partake of the sacrament. …

For both parents and children, the temple is the best opportunity to gain a feeling for and a love of heavenly places. …

You will find some of your greatest joys in your efforts to make your home a place of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a place that is permeated with love.