Family Home Evening Helps:

Cookies and a Gospel Message

A few years ago I decided to give our friends and neighbors something extra for Halloween: a message from us—and the Church. To a plate of festive sugar cookies I attached the conference talk “Let Our Voices Be Heard,” by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. During family home evening that week, we had read it and discussed how we could improve our choice of media at home. We also focused on Elder Ballard’s reminder that “there are many like-minded men and women of all cultures and faiths” who oppose offensive media influence (Ensign, Nov. 2003, 17). So we decided to make a list of all our friends and associates of other faiths who might feel as we do on this topic.

We then compiled small folders of materials, including copies of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102) and Elder Ballard’s talk. We then shared the information and Halloween cookies with those on our list.

And how was our gift received? I was surprised at how “like-minded” our friends turned out to be. They seemed just as concerned about these issues as we are, which led to some productive discussions about how we might support sponsors of more family-oriented programs on television. We also enjoyed some friendly discussions about the Church. Even our mailman asked questions after receiving his gift.

We had such a positive response that we’d like to continue giving such gifts for other holidays and occasions too. With all the Church materials available, there are many effective ways to share the gospel if we will just “let our voices be heard.”

Kathleen Woffinden, Kansas

Note: Copies of the family proclamation are available at LDS distribution centers or online at www.ldscatalog.com. U.S. and Canadian residents may call the Salt Lake Distribution Center at 1-800-537-5971. Church magazine articles can be accessed at www.lds.org. For an idea to help you share the gospel during the Christmas season, see “Joy to the World” (Ensign, Oct. 2003, 6).

Illustration by Beth Whittaker