David's talk

Even children can help strengthen a family, do you know how? Elder Robert D. Hales explained, “The key to strengthening our families is having the Spirit of the Lord come into our homes.” When you pray, study the scriptures, speak kindly, and remember to give thanks, you are strengthening your family! Doing these things invites the Holy Ghost.

The opposite of having the Spirit in our homes is having contention, or anger. When Jesus visited the Nephites, He taught, “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.”

Disobedience and arguing drive the Spirit away. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “It is the duty of children to obey their parents, to learn, and to help with household chores. They carry the scriptural charge not to contend and quarrel with one another.”

As you follow Church leaders counsel to be obedient and kind, the Spirit will be with you, helping you strengthen your family.