Wholesome Recreation Strengthens Families

 Opening Song: The Family is of God (The Friend, October, 2018)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-01-0070-the-family-is-of-god?lang=eng

Opening Prayer:

    There are lots of ways we can spend time with our families but is the quality and quantity of time that matters the most. This time spent needs to be meaningful and prepared for, it doesn't just happen. 

Families spend much wasted time on things such as electronics and social media. They spend less time exercising, work too much, and are don't spend enough time outdoors. When families choose wholesome recreational activities they strengthen relationships. This also reduces negative consequences towards families such as emotional and spiritual voids (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012). 

    When family members get too wrapped up in personal hobbies and recreation it takes away time from their loved ones. Many times people desire to use these personal activities to fill a void of happiness. They then tend to find themself not satisfied at all and look for ways to fill the void with more things that do not bring true happiness. They can find true pleasure and happiness when they choose to spend their free time in recreational activities with their family (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012). 

    In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, President Gordon B. Hinckley emphasized an important truth for successful families when he said that they are based on those who spend time in wholesome recreational activity.

Video: Watch the following two videos of families who are doing great family activities; dinner and a hike. Which of them seems to be a more wholesome use of time with these great activity ideas? If one needs improvement, how might they do differently next time? 

Family #1 Dinner 

Family #2 Hike

Activity: Give the family time to think of their favorite family activity or an activity they would like to do. Give each a piece of paper and have them draw their activity. Each family member then takes turns having the rest of the family guess what their activity is or was. Share stories of some of the most enjoyable activities you have done. If you don't have many memories yet create a list of adventures you would like to do as a family and post it on the calendar. 

    There are many benefits of spending time together as a family besides quality time. When families spend time outdoors it has a direct influence on their physical and health and wellbeing. It reduces stress and helps with behaviors in children with ADHD. Families can reconnect and it helps to resolve any conflicts that may be troubling them (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012).

    When planning activities for your family make sure they are wholesome and have value. Not all activities cost money, in fact, many are free and easy to plan in your own town. You can turn these activities into new family traditions. One simple activity would be going for a family walk after dinner. This is a good time to have discussions on how things are going in individuals' lives. While walking you can also observe nature, pick up litter, you could even do an object treasure hunt for items you would see out and about such as a bike, red car, brown dog, a bluebird, etc.  

    Families could also read together. This can be done in regular family scripture studies or bedtime stories. They could create and write a play to act out, do chores together, or work in a garden. It could be a service activity to help others. They could learn new hobbies together or perhaps build a tree fort or sandcastle. There are many ideas! 

Wholesome recreational activities with families help to develop positive identities. Family members who spent time together also have a better chance of high well-being and develop many positive character traits. They are creative, curious, love to learn, are persistent, have integrity and kindness, are good citizens, forgive, have humility, gratitude, and are spiritual (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012).

Scripture Story: Read 2 Nephi Chapter 5 together

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/5?lang=eng 

or paraphrase the following story.

    The Lord told Nephi to take his family in the wilderness to escape the Lamanites who were not making good choices and wanted to hurt the. As he lead his family for many days towards safety they were obedient to the commandments of the Lord. They worked hard together to make their new lives comfortable. They grew food, tended to their animals, built buildings (including a temple), studied and lived the gospel together. They were blessed for their efforts, as Nephi said, they "lived after the manner of happiness."

Testimony:

    The way we live in families matters. If we want to have happiness in our lives we must do so in the company of our family. We will find happiness in working with our families just as Nephi did. We will be blessed beyond measure. The Lord will help us make the time to spend with our families if we have a desire to make it a priority in our lives. The Family: A Proclamation to the World is a valuable resource to all. In its principles, we will find true lasting happiness in this life and in the life to come. I am grateful for my own family and for the one I was raised in. The family traditions I made in my family growing up have helped me to fulfill connections with my children today. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father's plan that families are forever. 

    Invite all family members to share their testimony on the importance of families spending time together. Make it a goal for the next month to intentionally spend one day a week for 2-4 hours spending time as a family. For more ideas on fun activities review this link: 

https://www.verywellfamily.com/absolutely-free-activities-for-kids-2997490

Closing Song: Famlies can be together Forever (Children's Songbook 188)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/families-can-be-together-forever?lang=eng

Closing Prayer: 

References

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1995). The Family: A Proclamation to the World. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng

Widner, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., “Wholesome recreation: building strong families” (2012), In Hawkins, A. J., In Dollahite, D. C., & In Draper, T., Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives.

The Most Important Work...

 Opening Song: Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel (Hymnal 252)

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/put-your-shoulder-to-the-wheel?lang=eng

Opening Prayer:

Scripture: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

    Discuss the meaning of the quote above with the family. What does this mean to each of you in the family? Take turns giving replies. 

    Working together as families started with Adam and Eve. They were commanded by God to til the earth, to have children and take care of them. We are still commanded to this day to do this with our families. Working with our families helps us to love one another and brings us closer to Jesus Christ. 

    The Family: A Proclamation to the World says it is our solemn responsibility and a sacred duty for parents to care for each other and their children. Working together on principles based on the gospel of Jesus Christ will help families be successful (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1995, para. 6-7). 

Read paragraphs 6 & 7 here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng

    Because work is a principle and commandment of the Lord we must strive to work together with our families often. Working with our families creates strong bonds, connections, and love for one another. It is not always easy to get everyone involved in the idea that working and spending time together is fun. Having a positive attitude is key. 

Activity: Make a list of fun things you like to do with your family or that you would like to do with your family. How does it make you feel when you work together? How does this affect the family when one or more members do not want to work together? What might you do as a family to help encourage them to join in? 

    It is important that we are patient with our family members who may be having a hard time creating new patterns in our family that might not be familiar. When we show love we can show we care. Working with an unwilling family member may be as easy as serving them first. Once they feel your love they may be more inclined to join in with serving with you. 

    Working can be fun, so can spending that quality time together. Take a few minutes together to review the following link for more ideas:

https://www.ldsliving.com/50-sabbath-day-activities-your-family-will-love/s/81216

    Long ago (before industrialization) families spent much time together working from home. They had farms or they would sell homemade goods or products they grew or produced from their homes. In the 1900s children worked beside their parents to help provide and support food and shelter for their family. Over time fathers started going to work for pay and mothers and children were left home to tend to the needs of the home life. In our day, many mothers now work and families need to be more intentional about their time together in order to connect and build relationships that came so easily from working side by side in the past (Bahr, Manwaring, et al., 2012).

    Working and spending quality time together is one way to do this. If everyone works together the load is made lighter. Working together does not have to be looked at as work. It can be recognized as moments and opportunities for families to spend time together, getting to know each other better just as families did so easily long ago. 

Read Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

    This invitation from the Savior in how He will carry our load is an example of how we too can carry one another's. He is the perfect example for love and connection in working with others. 

Video: Watch the following video on the importance of being yoked together. Think of ways that you could try harder in your family to equally yoke yourself so that you can all work together in unity. 

Testimony: 

    When I was growing up it was difficult for my family to find harmony in working together. My parents tried so hard to make this a priority in our lives. It wasn't always easy and we weren't perfect at it. Sometimes there was a lot of love. Sometimes there was less love. I come from a large family and at times it was hard to even fit into one car to go somewhere because there were so many of us. I remember one Christmas my family worked hard in preparation to serve another family in need. My sisters and I helped wrap presents for them. My parents bought and prepared food. We all helped to assemble our humble gifts. We took the boxes of food and gifts in a Santa sack and drove to their home and left them quietly on their porch. I can still picture my brothers dashing to their door and my dad driving away quickly after they jumped back in the van. My oldest brother called the family and said in the best Santa voice he could muster that he had just dropped off a surprise outside. We were so excited to work together as a family to bring joy to another that Christmas. 

    There are many ways to work together as a family. We will not always be perfect at it but the Lord knows when we make the effort to connect and bond. He will support us in building strong family connections because families are important to Heavenly Father's plan of happiness. 

    It is hard today with our busy families to find time to work and spend quality time together, but when we make it a priority it will be the most important work we can do within the walls of our home, just as President Harold B. Lee quoted above (Chapter 14: Love at Home, 2011).

    

    To find more on strengthening greater love at home please read his more of his teachings found here:

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-harold-b-lee/chapter-14?lang=eng

Closing Song: Have I done any good in the world today (Hymnal 223)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG63nu4VMpc

Closing Prayer

References

Bahr, K., Manwaring, K., Loveless, C., Bahr, E., “The Meanings and Blessings of Family Work” (2012), In Hawkins, A. J., In Dollahite, D. C., & In Draper, T. Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamations Principles and Research Perspectives.

Chapter 14: Love at Home. (2011). Churchofjesuschrist.org. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-harold-b-lee/chapter-14?lang=eng

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1995). The Family: A Proclamation to the World. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng