A home is much more than lumber, brick or stone, declared President Thomas S. Monson during the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting on Feb. 11.

President Thomas S. Monson

"A home is made of love, sacrifice and respect," President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, continued. "We are responsible for the homes we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. The thoughts we think, the deeds we do, the lives we live not only influence the success of our earthly journey, they also mark the way to our eternal goals."

President Monson was the concluding speaker during the international Church broadcast for priesthood and auxiliary leaders. The focus of the broadcast was "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." (Please see pages 4 and 5 for excerpts of addresses given by Elder L. Tom Perry and Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Relief Society General President Bonnie D. Parkin.)

Speaking in a warm, conversational manner, President Monson used the analogy of building a home and referred to "the master architect — even the Lord." He quoted Doctrine and Covenants 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."

"Where could any of us locate a more suitable blueprint where he could wisely and properly build?" President Monson asked. Continuing, he said that with the Lord as "the general contractor for our building project, then each of us can be subcontractors" in building homes and building the kingdom of God.

President Monson then offered "guidelines from God, lessons from life and points to ponder as we commence to build":

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Fervent and heartfelt prayer, said President Monson, will bring "greater peace and contentment in the human soul than any other way."
• "Kneel down to pray." Speaking of the ills that afflict modern-day society, President Monson said: "We often feel overwhelmed by the task before us. However, help is ever at hand. He who knows each of His children will answer our fervent and heartfelt prayer as we seek help in guiding them. Such prayer will solve more problems, alleviate more suffering, prevent more transgression and bring about greater peace and contentment in the human soul than any other way."

  Continuing, he spoke of the need for prayer in positions of responsibility for others. "Without the guidance of our Heavenly Father, however, we cannot do all that we have been called to do."

• "Step up to serve." Using the example of the ministry of Jesus Christ among men, President Monson explained: "As we help to bless and strengthen those for whom we have responsibility in our Church callings, we will in effect be blessing and strengthening their families. Thus, the service we perform in our families and in our Church callings can have eternal consequences."

• "Reach out to rescue." Referring to the 1995 First Presidency letter, "An Invitation to Come Back," President Monson quoted: "The course is fixed and certain by which a person may return to the full blessings of Church membership, and we stand ready to receive all who wish to do so."

President Monson then related "an oft-repeated scene" in which a son, Jack, had serious arguments with his father until one day a particularly serious argument led to Jack leaving home. As he passed through the gate to leave, he heard his father apologize and say, "I love you." Jack later returned home to the loving embrace of his father.

"Kneel down to pray. Step up to serve. Reach out to rescue. Each is a vital page of God's blueprint to make a house a home and a home a heaven," President Monson declared.

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President Thomas S. Monson used the analogy of building a home and referred to "the master architect -- even the Lord. . . . He who knows each of His children will answer our fervent and heartfelt prayer as we seek help in guiding them."