The prophets have promised that if we visit the temples regularly the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be restored in our own family. In the Church's "Proclamation to the World," the First Presidency said that "the family was ordained by God."

This year, our family set the goal of working on having a celestial family on earth.The following is what we are working on:

- Weekly temple visits.

- Daily morning and evening family prayer.

- Daily morning scripture study.

- Weekly quality family home evenings.

- Monthly family activities (trips, service projects, dining out, fishing, etc.).

- Reading "A Proclamation to the World" frequently.

- Maximum of four hours of good television a week (if that).

By doing this, our family has grown closer and stronger. In each family member's life, we have seen the blessings of the Spirit and the strength to choose the right. Everything we let in or out of our house we try as a family and as individuals to make sure that it stays within the standards the Lord has set. We teach the kids to love Jesus so they know on what source to rely when they are on their own. (See 2 Ne. 25:26.) - Jose Aponte, Orlando, Fla.

What we did:

Don't invite evil

The best way to fortify your home against evil is not to invite the evil in. Fortifying your home includes the following:

- Have your home blessed by a priesthood holder to be a safe haven for your family.

- Be cautious of influences, such as television, music, etc., and the people you invite into your home.

- Teach your children that home is not where "the world" is. Bad habits, unacceptable language, etc., are not worthy to enter the home.

- Treat your home as if you were entering a temple. It is a haven against worldly things and should be treated as such.

- Be aware of the evil around you - recognizing it is the first step to protecting yourself and home from it. - Rayna Pusillo, Holt, Mo.

Family goals

My husband and I recently planned a special Sunday to dedicate our home and to set some family goals with our two daughters. As soon as we came home from Church on this particular Sunday, my husband and I talked to our daughters about the significance of blessing and dedicating our home. Then, as we knelt in a circle, my husband offered a prayer of dedication and a blessing on our family and our new home. After the prayer, we set some new family goals and recommitted ourselves to some old ones.

We concluded our day by preparing our favorite family meal and serving it on our china. We found, in one of our moving boxes, a wall hanging we had made a couple of years ago in family night. It's hanging in our new home now. It has some of our family goals posted on it, and the scripture from D&C 88:119,

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." - Janine Poulsen Williams, Brigham City, Utah

Pray often

Pray often. Bless your family and your home. Use the power of the priesthood. Ask for protection by the Holy Ghost.

Have a pure and happy spirit in your home.

Refrain from listening to or watching programs on TV, on videos or video games that are not morally decent. Have activities that God would be pleased with.

Read your scriptures both individually and with your family. - Ron and Terri Shimohara, San Pedro, Calif.

You set standards

An effective way to fortify our homes against evil is to guard against the immoral programming that infests the TV, internet and radio.

We set the standards and abide by them. If a TV show is morally offensive, we change the channel. Often we will turn off the television. We have never rented R-rated videos. We now avoid PG-13. If a video is still offensive, we turn it off. Many of our date nights are short, because my wife and I never attend R- or PG-13 movies. We refuse to let an immoral entertainment industry set our standards for what is acceptable and not acceptable.

Our children would rather read a book or use the computer than watch a show that they know will be offensive. My 17-year-old son turned off one of his favorite TV shows because the content of the episode was immoral. He was disappointed in his favorite program, but I am proud of him for making the right choice. - Michael A. Price, Grover Beach, Calif.

Good music

Being a family with six children ages 21 to 10, we have worked hard to fortify our home. We listen carefully to the advice from our prophet. We make every effort to have family prayer every morning and evening. We read scriptures together as a family, with everyone taking their turn. Family home evening is also something we do together as a family, inviting non-members and friends when appropriate.

We are very careful about the music and TV that come into our home. Music can be such an uplift to the spirit in our home. We encourage the children to listen to good music and play an instrument or develop some other talent.

We do not watch R-rated movies and even others that aren't appropriate. We were counseled that what isn't appropriate for children is rarely good for adults.

We encourage good literature in the home. Following these simple steps has truly blessed our family. - Barbara Parker, Martinez, Calif.

How to checklist:

1. Seek for the Spirit in your home; live the gospel; study scriptures, pray together.

2. Have regular family home evening and family activities.

3. Allow only moral entertainment at home; avoid bad habits, unacceptable language.

4. Set goals as a family; work on them together; review them.

Write to us

Nov. 22 "How to help your children get along."

Nov. 29 "How to enlarge your social circle, make new friends as a single member of the Church."

Dec. 6 "How to feel, spread the spirit of Christmas when you live alone."

Dec. 13 "How to find strength and be a positive influence when you're the only member in your family."

Dec. 20 "How to make Christ the center of Christmas traditions."

Dec. 27 "How to develop qualities of discipleship."

Jan. 3 "How to gain a deeper spiritual appreciation for the Old Testament."

- Also interested in letters on these topics: "How to get out of a rut in your career," "How to help yourself or loved one overcome an abusive nature," "How to be prepared to share the gospel and answer questions," "How to build a strong work ethic in children," "How to encourage children and young people to be physically active."

Had any good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our readers in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, send fax to (801) 237-2524 or use internet E-mail: forum@desnews.com. Please include a name and phone number. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Due to limited space, some contributions may not be used; those used should not be regarded as official Church doctrine or policy. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.