Our earthly home is like the temple in sacredness. The temple is a place of holiness, order, and the spirit. We can proactively choose to fill our homes with the Spirit of God. In our homes we are directed by Him because we are about His work -- "bring[ing] to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Here we care for, nurture, guide, teach, and direct our families, raising up a family to the Lord.
Having a clean and orderly home invites the spirit, especially when we see mundane tasks as opportunities. The daily routines of maintaining a home can merely be tasks to rush through, getting by with as little effort as we can; or they can be seen as time to build relationships (see the three brick layers and a sage). As one mother explained, "Now, every time I invite a child to thrust their hands into the warm, soapy water with mine, I learn something new about their spirit and their life." To summarize Elder Packer, the objective of everyday home and family living is to qualify for the blessings of exaltation. Thus, as we spend time maintaining our
PERSPECTIVES ON HOME
homes, let's invite our little ones to participate with us. Yes, it will take longer and it would be more efficient to rush through the tasks ourselves, but if we can do it together relationships will be strengthened.
President Benson taught, "Radiate a spirit of contentment and joy with homemaking. You teach by example your attitude toward homemaking. Your attitude will say to your children, 'I am only a housewife' or it will convey, 'Homemaking is the highest, most noble profession to which a woman might aspire.' Provide your daughters with opportunities to develop their own skills, by allowing them to bake, cook, sew, and arrange their own rooms" (The Honored Place of Women).
I testify that as we create homes filled with processes that turn our hearts to Heavenly Father we will raise children who love the Lord. As we fill our homes with righteous routines of family scripture study and prayer, and Family Home Evening; and as we establish principles of repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreation (see The Family: A Proclamation to the World), our children will call our names blessed.
I know that with effort, we can create homes that are a refuge from the world. "In the latter days there will be a people so pure...that God will manifest himself, not only in their temple...but when they retire to their [homes], behold each [home] will be lighted up by the glory of God, a pillar of flaming fire by night" (Orson Pratt as quoted in Creating Home as a Sacred Center). I know that with effort and Divine inspiration, we can create homes that are "lighted up by the glory of God."
ROUTINES AND RITUALS
The importance of the everyday