Building Strong Marriages Builds Strong Families 

When a marriage is solid and healthy it provides the type of environment where a family can thrive. When we invest in strengthening our marriages it can have a profound impact on the strength of our children and our families. What are some ways we can build strong marriages and families? 

1. Work together - It's important that in our marriages we work together, this is something that will be continuously changing as we add jobs, responsibilities, and children to our families, but it important in both marriage and family life. I have noticed that when my children see my husband and I working together in harmony they are more willing to pitch in. There is something about a morning doing yard work together as a family that increases the love and admiration we have for one another. It's not always easy in the moment, and at times there will be complaining, but when we are able to complete a task together it creates a bond that doesn't happen without the work. 

2. Worship Together - Make time for Sunday services, family councils, scripture study, prayer, and family home evening. You don't have to do all of them, or be perfect, but doing this together invites the spirit into your home and family, and helps create a strong family foundation. 

3. Spend time together - Prioritize family time. Come up with weekly or monthly traditions that are meaningful to your kids and your family. This could be family movie night, dinners, or game nights. It doesn't have to be time consuming or fancy, but the time together is invaluable. It gives your kids something to look forward to and creates unity. 

4. Serve together - Find a cause that your family is interested in. One thing we love to do is volunteer at our local food bank. We do it about once a quarter and have found that time together as a family serving our community brings us closer together. 

5. Wholesome Recreation Activity - The Family Proclamation emphasizes the importance of wholesome recreational activities. This is important because of the lessons being outside or doing things we enjoy together teaches us. Wholesome recreation is an intentional process. It can serve to promote positive development in our children, strengthen our marriages, and build strong families. We must know, however, what constitutes wholesome recreation and purposefully seek opportunities for our families to meaningfully recreate together. The components to wholesome recreation include opportunities to verbally communicate, develop skills, face challenges, create memories, share traditions and beliefs, and spend time together in the family setting (Hawkins et al., 2012). 

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