Why Marriage, Why Family? ~ Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Taught by Tifanee G. 

Our Heavenly Father’s plan for happiness included families.  He sent us to earth as members of families.  A successful, happy, Christ-centered home is established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities.

It was said “Happiness does not spring from perfection but from applying divine principles.”  Prayer, love, and forgiveness are three principles, that when applied, can help us to have Christ-centered happy families.

Prayer with our families align our will with our Heavenly Father, resulting in blessings of strength, comfort, and inspiration.  It creates a loving bond.

            

Sue G. shared that her most important prayer of the day was her afternoon prayer right before her kids got home from school.  She would ask for strength to help her be the Mom that her kids needed.

Ligia B. shared that prayer is the most powerful tool she has in her arsenal for raising her children.  Without prayer, she wouldn’t know what her teenage kids needed and how she should respond as a parent in a way that helps them.  But she believes through answers to her prayers, Heavenly Father lets her know what her children need.   

Cari H. shared that in a recent experience where she attended a temple sealing, the sealer advised the newly married couple to pray for one another and to allow their spouse to hear them praying to Heavenly Father on their behalf.  She returned home and implemented this in her own family and was amazed to see how in such a short time, praying on behalf of not just her spouse but also her children has made them grow so much closer as a family.

Love as President Monson said, “should be the very heart of family life.”  A Christ-centered home is where the gospel is taught, covenants kept, and love abounds.

Carolyn R. shared that love is allowing a person time to change.

Heidi H. shared that as a child she and her sister kept a journal where they would write their thoughts of love back and forth to one another.  She now has children, some of whom don’t express their love very openly so she continues this tradition with them. 

Forgiveness was founded on Heavenly Father’s plan.  Because forgiveness connects principles, it connects people.  It is one of our best hopes for a happy family.

Tela F. shared that sometimes forgiveness is one sided, meaning that sometimes we seek forgiveness for something we’ve done wrong, but the person does not want to forgive.  Or we have been wronged and the person who has wronged us is not remorseful.  The Atonement still offers peace and healing for those who may be in these types of situations within their families.    

Weekly Challenge; Take time to look into our family life and incorporate one of the three principles discussed in the lesson to help build a more gospel centered home.

Know Your Neighbor ~ Johnson's

The Johnson Family

The Johnson family recently moved into our ward. They bought the Larsen’s home on Pony Express Way. Before moving to our ward, they lived for eight years on Main Street in Centerville.

Troy was born in Fountain Green, Utah, but grew up in Bountiful. He is the youngest of four children—three boys and one girl. He served in the New Hampshire, Manchester mission. Troy received his Bachelor degree in Business Administration from Weber State University and currently works for Wells Fargo and does insurance on the side. He enjoys sports, playing basketball, hunting, fishing, and being outdoors.

Courtney was born in Payson, Utah. She lived in California for 5 years when she was young, but grew up in Centerville. She is third child of six, and has three sisters and two brothers. Courtney received her Associates degree from Salt Lake Community College. Prior to having children, she did some marketing for secondary and proprietary schools. But now she is lucky enough to be home with the kids. She loves sports, biking, and playing softball, soccer, and volleyball.

Troy and Courtney met while working on the Bangerter’s farm when she was 12 and he was 14. They worked several years together, but she didn’t really like him then. He was an acquaintance of her brothers. After Troy came home from his mission, Courtney was hanging out with some of Troy’s friends and soon, Troy and Courtney began to pair off. They dated for eight months, were engaged for three, and were married in the Bountiful Temple. They will have been married twelve years this June.

Troy and Courtney have three children:

Nash is 6 years old and is in the Chinese Immersion Kindergarten at Stewart Elementary. He loves playing with his friends. Nash also enjoys playing on baseball, soccer teams, and basketball.

Chaylee is 4 years old and thinks she’s 21. She likes to play with her big brother, Nash and loves makeup, jewelry, and pink, pink, pink!

Avinley is almost 2. Her birthday is in May. She loves being outside and keeping out with her older siblings.

The Johnsons have a cat named Frosty. He is all white, fat, and old.

As a family, the Johnsons love to do active things together. They love family time and visiting St. George. They are excited for an upcoming trip later this year to Disneyland where they will celebrate Courtney’s parents’ 60^th anniversary.

Welcome back to the Willow Wood Ward Johnson Family! We are happy to have you in our ward.

Know Your Neighbor ~ Larsen's

The Larsen Family

The Larsen Family moved into the basement apartment of the Horsley’s home a few months ago. Though they are new in our ward, they are not new to our ward. They lived in our ward four years ago for about a year. They will probably be in our ward through the fall.

Dana grew up in West Valley, Utah. He is the youngest of five children and has two brothers and two sisters. He served in the New Jersey, Morristown Mission. He recently got his Bachelors of Medical Laboratory Sciences degree from Weber State University and works at the University of Utah Hospital in the lab doing testing. Dana is currently applying to Masters’ programs to be a Physician’s Assistant. He likes learning, playing xBox, BBQ’ing, and smoking meat.

Holly grew up in Orem, Utah. She is the fourth child of five and has two brothers and two sisters. She is currently a part-time student at Weber State. She used to work as a dog groomer before her baby was born. Holly loves animals—especially dogs and horses. She likes being a mom, taking care of her baby and the house and being at home. She also enjoys hiking, running, walking, and watching movies and TV shows.

Dana and Holly met on eHarmony.com. They met and hit it off, dated not very long, and then got married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. They have been married for five years.

They have a baby girl, named Abigail. She is 6 months old. She is a smiley happy baby and loves walks, her cat and dog, baths, and music.

The Larsens have a dog, Maven, that is a golden doodle and a black cat, Bagheera. As a family, the Larsens enjoy watching movies, hiking, walking, and visiting family and friends.

Welcome back to the Willow Wood Ward Larsen Family! We are happy to have you in our ward.