Guardians of the Hearth Challenges
January: Humbly ask the Lord, “What is one way my family (and I) can better honor the Sabbath Day?” Read the following quotes and talks to understand how important this commandment is to the Lord and the blessings He promises to those who keep it.
February: Humbly ask the Lord, “Is my relationship with my spouse pleasing to thee? What can I do to make it better?” If you are single, ask the Lord “What changes could I make in my life that would improve my relationships with others?”
March: Humbly ask the Lord, “Are there distractions that are taking my family (and me) away from things that matter more?”
- We may want to ask ourselves, “Are my children over-involved?
- Is there time for my family to work, play, study, and worship together?
- What message am I sending to my children and the Lord about my priorities?”
April: Ask yourself, “Does my family fully appreciate and take advantage of God’s amazing gift of the atonement? Am I teaching my children (and do I know) how to truly pray, repent, forgive, and tap into the enabling power of the atonement?”
May: Humbly ask the Lord, “How can my family (and I) show greater reverence and respect for our bodies, the temples of our spirits? Choose one way and set a goal.
- This could include better health practices as well as dressing, thinking and acting modestly. Are we being vigilant in keeping filters on our devices and teaching our children what to do when faced with inappropriate media?
June: Humbly ask the Lord, “Is my relationship with each of my children (or the people closest to me) pleasing to thee? What can I do to make these relationships better?” Select one way you can be a more powerful influence for good in their lives.
- This could include such things as spending one-on-one time with each child, being a better listener, withholding judgment, speaking kindly to each other, praying for one another.
July: Ask yourself, “Is my family spending enough time together in fun and relaxing ways? Decide what an appropriate balance would be, make a plan and have fun!
- We could even take our Family Home Evenings up a notch on the fun scale!
August: Humbly ask the Lord, “Are there life skills that I could teach my children that would make them better instruments in thy hands?” or “What life skills do I need to work on to be able to better serve in the kingdom? Choose one skill and come up with a plan to improve.
- Possible skills include being responsible, dealing with disappointment or failure, having a good work ethic, being punctual, showing gratitude, working well with others, resolving conflicts in a healthy way, learning to be self-reliant, learning how to manage money.
September: Humbly ask the Lord “How can I bring the blessings of the temple into my home in greater measure?” Select one area and set a goal.
- This may include such things as increasing temple attendance, preparing children for their next ordinance, working on family history, recording testimonies and spiritual experiences, making our homes more like the temple through religious pictures, sacred music, and orderliness.
October: Humbly ask the Lord, “Are there any behaviors in the members of my family (or in me) that could lead to addiction?” Seek the Lord’s help in addressing a potential problem.
- This could include such things as time spent on screens, sleeping longer than is needful, inappropriate eating patterns, placing our hearts on material things, experimenting with alcohol, drugs, or pornography.
November: Humbly ask the Lord what you and your family could do to more fully have His spirit to be with you. Commit to improve in one new way.
- Filling our hearts and minds with the word of God daily, keeping the commandments with greater exactness, and repenting quickly and thoroughly all bring the spirit and even increase our ability to receive personal revelation.
December: Humbly ask the Lord, “Is the attitude and habit of charitable service a regular part of my life and the lives of my family members?” Decide on one way that you and your family can focus on the needs of others throughout the year.