Families are forever.

The phrase is a familiar one, taught to toddlers in Primary and often repeated in firesides, sacrament meeting talks and general conference addresses.But if families plan on spending eternity together, they should start practicing now. As John Gholdston, father of six and a member of the Springville (Utah) 11th Ward, explained: "If they don't want to spend time with us now, they won't want to be with us forever."

"It's not always easy," observed Abraham Lee, bishop of the Makiki Ward in the Honolulu Hawaii Stake and father of five. "Sometimes you wonder if you're going to succeed as a family. But you've got to take the time, you've got to let your family know they are the most important thing in the world."

Bishop Lee practices what he preaches. The Lee family spends a lot of time together - especially out-of-doors. When the children are out of school, trips to the beach are a weekly activity. Picnics also appear frequently on the Lee family agenda.

"Last year," the bishop continued, "we were able to go to April conference together. That was a wonderful experience."

During the holidays, the Lee family also becomes heavily involved with the ward family. Last year, the high priests, singles, elders quorum, Young Women, Young Men, and Primary all held holiday parties at the Lee home.

Bishop Lee and his wife, Sally, feel that teaching their children, by example, to reach out and share their lives and love with others is important.

Reaching out to others has become a part of the Gholdston family's Thanksgiving tradition. Three years ago, the family had just moved from Florida and was staying in a small, rented home. Plans for Thanksgiving didn't look very exciting. But then a colleague invited the family to dinner.

"We piled into the van and went and had a fabulous time," he recalled. "We've spent a part of every Thanksgiving with them ever since. It meant a lot that they would share their holidays with us. It's been a great example for us to follow."

The Gholdston family, including Gholdston's mother, June, shares many of their holiday traditions with others. "I served a mission in Germany and I really like the way they celebrate Christmas," Gholdston said. "they have a two-day holiday. The first day is spent home with family and the second day is spent visiting friends and loved ones. We follow that pattern."

Family members also enjoy spending Christmas Eve taking homemade stollen (German-style bread with fruits and nuts) to friends and neighbors.

But holidays aren't the only time the Gholdstons spend time together.

"We love the canyon," observed Gholdston. "In fact, when we moved, the canyon was almost one of the main reasons we chose this location. We came to Springville to look at the house and then, afterward, drove up the canyon. We were almost more swayed by that drive than the actual house."

Board games are another family pastime, as is theater. "Both Sharon and I love theater and are heavily involved in both acting and directing community productions," explained Gholdston. "All the children except for the two youngest boys have been in productions. The children also help out by taking tickets and acting as hosts and hostesses. They work on the scenery and help us clean the theater."

By being involved as a family in these and other projects, the Gholdstons hope to teach their children that "their family needs to be their best friends."

"We try to teach them to love and respect each other and to work together. With six children, if they're not working together, it can be a catastrophe."

Garry and Dalene Bryant of the Eldredge Ward, Salt Lake Granite Park Stake, feel their two boys, Sterling, 3, and Ian, 1, aren't too young to learn about family togetherness.

Some of Bryant's ancestors came from Scotland and one of the family's favorite activities is attending Scottish games. "We went to one in Payson (Utah) earlier this year and the boys and I just came back from one in Tucson (Ariz.)," Sister Bryant said. At home the boys are learning Scottish games and songs, and they enjoy watching Dad huff and puff as he learns to play the bagpipes.

Sister Bryant also has made outfits from a Scottish tartan found in the Bryant family ancestry. "I made me a jumper and Garry a shirt, but the boys have kilts," she said.

"I enjoy attending the Scottish games and learning about our ancestors; it's fun and we can be together," Sister Bryant explained. "But I think it will also be nice for the boys as they get older and start doing their genealogy. They will already be familiar with the way their ancestors lived and the things they did."

Teaching their children about their ancestors and their culture and heritage is also important to Zeno and Esther Chow of The Shaukeiwan (Hong Kong) Ward. They were married three years ago.

With one 2-year-old daughter and another child on the way, the couple is deeply committed to making sure their children are knowledgeable about Chinese customs and traditions.

"We are already building a library of children's books," explained Sister Chow, who is in Utah awaiting the birth of their second child. "In that library, we want books of famous Chinese figures, books that explain the virtues those people possessed and why they became successful. Those are things they can study, even when young, and learn from."

The couple also takes their daughter out during traditional Chinese holidays, such as Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year. "We look at the lanterns and decorations and tell her the stories behind the traditions," Sister Chow said.

Another tradition the couple has started is writing letters to their children, recording thoughts and feelings, as well as events and activities.

"I've already written a letter to the unborn baby," Sister Chow said.

"It's important to let family members know they matter, to let them know they care. With my husband in Hong Kong and my daughter and me here, we can't spend time together like we did before. We write letters, talk on the phone once in a while and make tapes. But time spent together is precious. And it becomes more precious when you can't be together."