How can our discussions at home and at church bring us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Enos, the son of a prophet, often heard his father, Jacob, talk of eternal truths. One day Enos went into the forest to hunt. While there, he said:

“The words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life … sunk deep into my heart.

“And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker” (Enos 1:3–4). After praying all day, he heard a voice telling him that his sins were forgiven. The experience was so important to Enos that he taught the gospel and rejoiced in it all the rest of his life.

Enos had been taught the gospel in his home. The Old Testament teaches, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). As faithful parents, we are responsible to help our children learn gospel principles and practice them in their lives.

How can we make gospel discussions a natural and regular part of family life?

Deuteronomy 11:18-20

• Mealtimes can be good occasions for talking about the gospel. Small children like to ask and answer gospel questions. When they do not know the answers, the father or mother can give brief answers and teach the gospel.
• Bedtime stories provide an excellent opportunity for teaching the gospel by telling or reading stories from the scriptures, Church publications, or personal experiences.
• Many opportunities for teaching the gospel arise as families work together around the home.
• Parents may call family members together in a family council. Such councils may provide opportunities to teach and testify of gospel principles.
• Many parents find that regular, private interviews with each child help them draw close to their children, encourage them, and teach them the gospel.

1 Peter 3:15

‘I love the Apostle Peter’s invitation: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man [and I add, child] that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” ^{1 Peter 3:15}

When I was a teenager, my dad and I enjoyed challenging each other to see who had the strongest grip. We would squeeze the other’s hand as tightly as possible in an effort to make the other grimace in pain. It doesn’t seem like much fun now, but somehow it was at the time. After one such battle, Dad looked me in the eyes and said, “You have strong hands, Son. I hope your hands always have the strength to never touch a young lady inappropriately.” He then invited me to stay morally clean and help others do the same.’ (Devin G Durrant, General Conference, April 2018)

David O. McKay counseled: “Parents must … show a willingness to answer questions. A child that is asking questions is contributing happiness to your life” (Gospel Ideals [1953], 480).

Mosiah 18:9

Often we are given the opportunity to help others in their time of need. Family service activities give opportunities to discuss gospel principles.

Moroni 6:4-5

Preparing a child in the family for baptism will provide opportunities to talk about the first principles of the gospel.

D&C 88:122

• Allow children to teach FHE lessons
• Ask each family member what they learned at church this week
• Ask each family member what they learned in their personal scripture study this week.

Plastic little children

Made of Heaven’s clay

Oh Father, give us vision

To mold them right this day.

Potential gods in miniature,

We must have help from Thee,

For how they’re fashioned here today,

Will endure through all eternity. (Author unknown)