Policies and Announcements

The following items appeared in the May 1983 Bulletin.

Home Study Plan. In order to build faith and better understanding of the Savior and his teachings, all members of the Church are encouraged to more earnestly study the gospel. The Melchizedek Priesthood and Gospel Doctrine study courses this year are based on the New Testament. Suggested home reading assignments are provided in connection with those courses, and it is hoped that they will be followed. In addition it is recommended that all families immediately begin reading the scriptures that detail the life of Christ, both in Palestine and in ancient America. These are the four gospels of the New Testament and 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, especially beginning with chapter eleven. It is suggested that members read one chapter a day, first from Matthew, then from Mark, Luke, John, and 3 Nephi. This daily reading will provide improved understanding and more knowledge concerning the Savior and will enrich the lives of all who follow this plan.

In connection with this suggestion, President Gordon B. Hinckley said the following at the conclusion of the recent general conference: “Every Latter-day Saint has the responsibility to know for himself or herself with a certainty beyond doubt that Jesus is the resurrected, living Son of the living God. The brethren of the Council of the Twelve are advocating that we read a chapter a day of the gospels, that is, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible, and Third Nephi in the Book of Mormon, particularly beginning with the eleventh chapter of that book where is found the account of Christ’s visit among the Nephites in this hemisphere.”

Family Home Evening. There is no new family home evening manual for 1983. Bishoprics should encourage families to use previous manuals in their possession. A new family home evening resource book designed to last for several years will be introduced for 1984.

Priesthood leaders may wish to remind members of the following statement:

“The First Presidency frequently emphasizes the importance of weekly family home evenings as a prime opportunity for parents to teach and strengthen their families. In addition to family gospel study on Sundays, Monday nights are reserved for family home evening, which may include instruction in gospel principles, love, and harmony, and may include other family activities.

“Priesthood leaders should emphasize the importance of family home evening in sacrament, leadership, and quorum meetings and should set the example by holding a weekly family home evening” (letter to the field from President Ezra Taft Benson, 1 October 1981).