Last night we were at the end of our day, Jim was tired from a long day back at work after the holiday weekend... those are always extra difficult. I was worn out from my day, especially the trying moments with Jacob... he can really push my buttons and put me through the ringer. And well Jacob was supposed to be in charge of our family night activity... which I found out way too late that he had planned for us to drive into the city and check out the local guitar store? What????
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Apparently his most recent discovery of love for his self taught guitar talent... has put him off kilter with the real world yet again and he missed that we own 8 guitars!!!!
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I won't even go there; but needless to say we went another direction with the family night plans.
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I grabbed an article in the Ensign this month and before I had even read it, found the "family home evening suggestion" in the back and decided to wing it from there.
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We took turns and read sections from the article, and then shared our favorite scriptures. Jacob knew his right away and sat impatiently tapping and clicking things within his reach (breathe), but Jim and I went searching to pick one to share.
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I knew I didn't have a favorite scripture, how could I ever pick just one... there were so many good ones! But I went searching for something to share.
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In a short time, we each shared... I was surprised by the feelings of the spirit as we did. It had been a stressful, thrown together home evening, but still when we didn't give up, the spirit was with us! What strength and power and peace that gives me to know gathering my family every week, IS the right thing, no matter how rough it seems around the edges.
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Jacob shared his favorite... D&C 14:7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. He didn't elaborate much, but said it was the first scripture he heard in Seminary, and it stood out to him that was what to strive for the most, eternal life!
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And he shared that he liked this because it was a prophecy that has come to pass. In later scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Prophet Elijah does come to the Temple and bring the keys to seal families together forever.
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Then in true "Mom" fashion, I took the longest to find mine, and I couldn't share just one... I had to do two. (It wouldn't be family night at our house, unless I was able to drag things out and torture the teenager).
So mine were... Alma 53: 20, 21 20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him. Learning about the 2000 Stripling Warriors; I don't think there is anything more valuable in life to learn to be truthful in all things... and I really like that when we are true and follow the commandments... we do feel like walking a little taller, it changes our outward appearance.... .
and then my other one, is later still referring to the 2000 Stripling Warriors - Alma 56:47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. I love that they listened to their mothers who taught them to have FAITH! And they did as they went into battle as if with the strength of God, and not one of them fell to the earth.... and they fought with such miraculous strength (even though they were way out numbered) the enemy delivered themselves up as prisoners of war. Faith, unwavering faith without doubt!!! I love it, sounds simple, but it's easier to say than do at times. .
We closed the lesson with a quote from a past President of the church about the "Power of the Word"...
"Success in righteousness, the power to avoid deception and resist temptation, guidance in our daily lives, healing of the soul—these are but a few of the promises the Lord has given to those who will come to His word. Does the Lord promise and not fulfill? Surely if He tells us that these things will come to us if we lay hold upon His word, then the blessings can be ours. And if we do not, then the blessings may be lost. However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life." President Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994)
Much, much much to my surprise it was a really fun night, I learned some things about my boys I didn't know. I love it when they share spiritual thoughts or insights (that is always special for a mother/wife to hear). I knew Seminary had been good for Jacob, but I had no idea how much he really really cherished it and how much it influenced his path for learning from the scriptures. There is so much power in the scriptures, His word... that I know if we apply it to our lives and try to live according to His will, we can have eternal life and the peace and joy that comes from living in such a manner.
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I am truly grateful for the principle of "Family Night" and the blessings it has brought into my family. It was a tool to bring us together when we were apart, and no matter how much it seems like it might fail in the midst of our shortcomings and lack of planning, as we are obedient to the principle of gathering together and making an effort to learn something and cherish each other, we have ALWAYS been blessed!!
It's a passion like no other... I am really happy he has found something he loves this much. 
