Reverence in the Home

Within the walls of our homes, the gospel is studied, personal and family prayers are said, and eternal family relationships are nurtured. Prophets throughout the years have counseled the Saints to maintain an attitude of reverence in the home, one of the most sacred places on earth.

When parents realize the significance of the responsibilities with which they have been entrusted, they find it easier to approach their responsibilities with reverence. President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve has said, “When you covenant in marriage and are free to act in the creation of life, when you stand at the threshold of parenthood, know that you stand on holy ground.” 6

More than any other place, including church, the home is where children are taught to be reverent. Such understanding does not come automatically. President Marion G. Romney (1897–1988) said, “By and large, children in their early years and most of them in later years will be just about as reverent as they are trained to be, and no more.” 7 Example is always the best teacher, and children learn reverence by observing the behavior of their parents. They also learn reverence by participating in regular family prayer and gospel study.

Music can add much to the reverence and spirituality of the home, especially during family home evenings. My family has been blessed with a love of music, and hymns are an essential part of our family worship. Together we all are edified as we “sing forth the honour of his name” (see Ps. 66:2). Keith L. Smith, “Reverence,” Ensign, Jul 2003, 60–65