Press Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ

Hello Family:

Each of us face unique challenges in this troubled time of the world.   We struggle to cope  with our individuals problems day by day, and can be disheartened by the flood of discouraging news that bombards us. 

But this morning, I read again a verse that should be the foundation of our efforts not just to cope, but to prosper in the midst of our challenges:

2 Nephi 31:20
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a ^asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of ^bhope, and a ^clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and ^dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have ^eeternal life.

Nephi wrote that verse for his family nearly 2,600 years ago, but it applies directly to us today.  I pray that each of us and all of us collectively will be able to press forward in Christ and grasp the hope that comes from him.  I know he will sustain us.

Love,

Dad

President Monson on Eternal Families

Hello Family!

Today's Zion Family email paraphrases parts of President Monson's talk to conclude the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting held last night, as taken from my notes.

Claudia, Eric, Ryan and I attended the broadcast at the Kimball Stake Center. I thought it wonderful that President Monson's first public sermon to the Church would focus on the basic, foundation principles that build eternal families.

The home is the basis of a righteous life

Whatever the makeup of a family, we should follow the guidelines of the gospel and bring the Spirit into our home.

Jesus taught about home building:

• "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." (Mark 3:25)
• "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." (D&C:88:119)

Families must be united in purpose.

Three guidelines for eternal families:

1. Establish a Pattern of Prayer
   
   
   • "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed." (3 Nephi 18:21)
   
   
2. Establish a Library of Learning
   
   
   • Read deeply from good books. Don't just rely on abridgments and excerpts.
   
   
   • "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118)
   
   
   • Teach out of the standard works.
   
   
3. Establish a Legacy of Love
   
   
   • Parents must set good examples for their children.
   
   
   • "Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds." (Jacob 2:35)

Make our homes sanctuaries from the world.

I bear my witness that President Monson is a prophet of God. I am grateful that our Heavenly Father loves us enough to provide a living prophet to lead us. I pray that we may follow his righteous teachings and example.

Love,

Dad/Mark