What Is Home Evening?

mother, father, and little girl sitting outdoors

Home evening is a time set aside during the week for your family to gather. During this time, you can “learn the gospel, strengthen testimonies, build unity, and enjoy one another” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2.2.4, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Home evening looks somewhat different for each family. But the goal is to use this time to draw closer together and closer to the Savior.

Preparation

Think of an activity that your family enjoys and a gospel topic that you would like to discuss and learn about together. Also, choose a day and time each week when most or all family members can meet. The Church encourages members to hold home evening on Monday nights. But families can meet when it works best for them.

Prayer

Many families begin and end home evening with prayer. This invites the Holy Ghost into their home. Home evening is an ideal time for children and adults to learn to pray with a small group.

Music

Many families also have an opening and closing song. They usually choose a song from the hymnbook or the Primary songbook. The Church has piano recordings of the hymns at music.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. You can also watch videos of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Singing during home evening helps members learn the hymns that are sung at church.

Lesson

The Church has many resources that can help with home evening. You might take a few minutes to read and discuss an article from the Liahona, the Friend, or For the Strength of Youth. This can also be a time to watch and discuss Church videos. Or you could read a talk from general conference, read scriptures, or discuss that week’s reading in Come, Follow Me.

Family Involvement

Children can take part in home evening. They can help plan activities, pray, or choose and lead the songs. They can even teach lessons. Before home evening, you could help your child read a story in the Friend magazine or their favorite scripture story. The child can then tell that story to the family as the lesson. Many children also like acting out scripture stories for home evening. Let older children plan the lesson or choose a general conference talk they would like to read. Then have them lead the discussion.

Activities

Many families enjoying doing activities as part of home evening. Indoor activities can include playing games, doing crafts, or cooking together.

For outdoor activities you could take a walk, go on a family hike, or play a sport outside together. Find an activity that all family members can do, and have fun together. Avoid competitive moments that might drive the Spirit away.

Service

Home evening is a great time for families to serve others. You could help some older neighbors, serve food at a homeless shelter, write to missionaries, or pick up litter, for example.