When we think of the true and most obvious needs of our communities and the world today I see one thing that can make a huge difference if we would just do it.  Sometimes I think we are just unsure about HOW to do it--and that is to strengthen our families. A "family" can be defined as mother, father, and children...or mother and children, or father and children, or a senior couple whose children are gone from home...or it can be one person...or friends who get together to strengthen one another...Here is one very interesting recommendation for strengthening families from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints----it is called FAMILY HOME EVENING.

What is it?  In 1915 the First Presidency of the Church announced that the members of the Church would be encouraged to meet together in families once a week (the day was formalized to Monday in 1970) to be together, enjoy each other, and  teach and learn the principles of the Gospel of Christ together.  So "the Mormons" (as they are nicknamed)  have been doing that since then.

Being a retired  psychologist I think that decision by the Church in 1915 (way ahead of the times--"worries" about families did not become a serious concern until many years later) was brilliant.  IF FAMILIES WILL GET TOGETHER ONCE A WEEK ON MONDAY EVENING (or choose another evening if for some reason Monday does not work for you)...to talk together, hold family councils to solve problems together, learn about things of common interest together, learn the Gospel together...and have fun together (throwing in some treats might help!) then I think ANY family can strengthen itself.
This means we are not waiting for the schools or the community or some other external source to strengthen our children and our families for us (even though we appreciate all the help we can get!)--WE are willing to do it. And when parents show their children the family matters to them by having FAMILY HOME EVENING---that sends a strong message to the children that hopefully they will follow when they are parents in the future.

FAMILY HOME EVENING--get together, play, have fun, learn, encourage, solve problems together, strengthen the family..make the family NUMBER ONE in your overall value system.

A very good idea. Try it.  Have a nice day. Jim MacArthur