A Letter to Church Members from the First Presidency

Presidents Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Faust

Church News, 27 Feb. 1999, 3

To: Members of the Church throughout the World

(To Be Read in Sacrament Meeting and Delivered by Home Teachers)

Dear Brothers and Sisters: …

We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.

We urge bishops and other Church officers to do all they can to assist parents in seeing that they have time and help, where needed, as they nurture their families and bring them up in the way of the Lord. Wherever possible, Sunday meetings, other than those under the three-hour schedule and perhaps council meetings on early Sunday mornings or firesides later in the evening, should be avoided so that parents may be with their children. As we strengthen families, we will strengthen the entire Church.

Faithfully your brethren,

The First Presidency