Inviting Extended Family

More than 50 years ago, my grandparents began holding family home evening with their 12 children and their families. My grandparents gathered everyone together once a month for a combined family home evening, with each child taking a turn to be in charge.

This tradition continues today as an even larger extended family meets monthly. At times, well over 100 family members have gathered in Grandmother’s large living room to have family prayer, hear faith-promoting stories, share family news and humor, perform musical numbers, and celebrate holidays. Other times, we have met at a local building to accommodate our growing extended family. The 12 siblings still take turns planning each monthly home evening. The person in charge contacts the other siblings, who then contact family members living in their area.

Initially, Grandma and Grandpa did not know how their faithfulness would strengthen family ties for their posterity. Years later a spirit of togetherness and a sense of belonging still pervade at our extended family home evenings. I am thankful that half a century ago my grandparents realized the importance of family home evening and started a tradition that continues to teach us of the eternal importance of our family.

Regina Williams Klitgaard, Rosewood Ward, Layton Utah Holmes Creek Stake

Illustration by Beth Whittaker