How to have a happy family

Colossians 3:15-21
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.


The adversary works so hard on the family, because with one family member that is affected, the whole family is affected by it. There are so many things in the world competing for the drifting away of the family. So many things that call for personal involvement, instead of things that bring unity in the family. Fortunately, we have answers to what we can do to have a happy family. The answer, building a family relationship on the gospel. Here in the epistle to the Colossians, Paul writes some important values that should be applied within the home. He knew how important families are to our Father in heaven, and the Father is fully aware of how tough it is to live in a dysfunctional family. Here are some of the things I found that was mentioned in these passages.
1) Peace of God rule in your hearts, and be thankful.
2) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing each other. (Family home evening and prayer)
3) Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. (Sing together the words of God.)
4) Give thanks to God in all of our doings.
5) Each individual and member of the family fulfilling their responsibility. Doing their very best to do their part, for everyone pulling their own weight helps them everybody deal with their burdens.

If we can do all we can to implement these plans of God, then we know we will be blessed. It isn't always easy to read scriptures together or sing as a family. Or many of the things listed, but we can be sure it will make us happy. The Supreme Creator of the world has given us a plan to help us know we can be happy if we follow it. With all of the wisdom He possesses, we can know that the gospel contains general application to all circumstances that will work. I have seen these blessings in my life. It was not easy reading scriptures and praying with my family with busy schedules that conflict and attitudes that constantly change. But I know and can see the blessings of the Lord in my life. His hand is there and has lifted me through all of my challenges. And these things will bless you if you are willing to follow the Words of God and rely on Him for supplication.

2 Corinthians 2:3

2 Corinthians 2:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in flesshy tables of the heart.

It is not enough to read the word of God, you will have to etch it into your heart and live it to gain a testimony from the Spirit.

What does it mean to cry? Why do we do it? In the Book of Mormon, Alma uses the word CRY in chapter 34 numerous times, he is explaining how we should pray. Cry unto the Lord, have you heard this before? I don't think the God intends for us to be crying our eyes out every time we pray. Now sometimes, we will when the emotions are high, but if you are in a cheerful mood, we don't have to discourage ourselves to cry. I feel that crying is more of an emotion, it comes from the heart. Whenever I have cried, after I was a baby, I cried for things that I put my heart into. I simply love this scripture, because Paul is explaining to the Corinthians about the true application of the words of God. We are not intended to just read them, maybe complement their beauty or reasoning. We are to engrave them upon our hearts, making ourselves a living scripture book in principle and in character. To put forth as much effort into our commitments, much like Alma was teaching about what we should do with our prayers. We must be even more than listeners of the word, but doers in faith. 

Brett Jones

1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 "For ye are bought with a price."

1 Corinthians 6: 19-20- What? Know ye not that you body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

How much do we take for granted? Have you ever tried listing all of the blessings we receive in life? Every breath of air is a blessing, the greenhouse effect that makes all temperatures 30 degrees warmer, industrialization for greater demand, how beautiful nature is, a shelter to call home, a transportation device whether it's a vehicle or our own legs work. Many of these things are used everyday without the thought of how precious these gifts are, and they are from God. Now, lets shift to the remarkable body. When you get a cut, bruise, sicknesses, and any infirmities of any kind; your body has the ability to heal itself. Granted medical attention may be needed in some cases, but those medical aids could do nothing if your body didn't heal itself after they were put in place. What an incredible, complex, gift that we enjoy everyday of our lives. But are they our own?
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth, and all things that are dwelling therein. God created man in the image of God. Therefore we look like Him, and on top of that, we are His children. Given blessings from on high with that divine heritage. As part of the plan, we are to receive a body, a physical body, that we may endure to the end and prepare to meet God. This preparation was only possible, if we could receive a body in the process. Then, God granted unto His children to come to Earth and receive a body, all of which are possible through the creation of the heavens and the Earth from God the father, through Jesus Christ. Which makes our bodies, essentially belong to God.
Have you ever given a gift to somebody to just have them disrespect it? If I were to give you a watch, of great value, just to watch you take the watch and throw it on the ground, how do you think I would feel? Would I be willing to give you other gifts that I could give you? Our bodies are a gift from God, that enables our spirit and His Spirit to dwell within. If we were to disrespect it, disobey, or defile our bodies, how do you think God would feel with such a gift of great value.
I know that our bodies are divine, we are created in the image of God, vessels of His spirit and ours to enable us to return to the presence of the Father.

1 Corinthians 1: 5-6

1 Corinthians 1: 5-6- That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

 

If you are worthy to have the same Spirit that delivers your testimony, then you can be enriched by Him with divine teaching and knowledge.

I don't think we realize the divine help we receive from God in its entirety. I have to remember to count my blessings in times of doubt and trial. But even when I do, I imagine there are countless times that God blessed me when I didn't even realize it. Elder David Bednar from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said, "How often do we ask God to allow us to make it to our destination safely, and then never thank Him for it." This was a huge reality check for me, because I couldn't remember the last time that I had told him thanks for something like that. However, it is true. Even the very air we breath is a blessing from God in every breathe. 

In this passage of scripture, we learn from the epistle that Paul wrote to the Corinthians that in every thing we are enriched by God. Every skill, learning, and blessing comes from the supreme God that created us, but this does not necessarily mean that we don't abuse them. Some gifted people that sing may use their talent to draw people away from the Being who gave him or her that talent. Surely, God only asks us to bless His kingdom and recognize Him for the blessing allocated. I love my Heavenly Father for the blessings, talents, and hidden blessings that He has given me. I am grateful for the leaders in my life that have helped me change on the path of discipleship. I know these things are true by the Holy Spirit of God. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen