'Strengthening can come from you'
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The individual actions of Church members can be powerful in strengthening their homes and families, no matter their circumstances, said Sister Mary N. Cook Saturday morning.
"All families need strengthening, from the ideal to the most troubled," said Sister Cook, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, who addressed her remarks particularly to the youth of the Church. "That strengthening can come from you. In fact, in some families you may be the only source of spiritual strength. The Lord is depending on you to bring the blessings of the gospel into your family."
It is important, she said, for members to establish patterns of righteousness in their own lives, which will enable them to set a good example for their families, whatever form each family may take.
She asked young members to seek the help of the Lord through daily prayer, to study the scriptures, to get an education, to pay tithing and to attend their meetings.
"As you commit to these patterns of righteousness, you will be blessed throughout your life and will develop the spiritual foundation from which you can strengthen your family by example."
Example, she explained, is often the best teacher.
She shared a story of her brother, whose example strengthened her own family. As a missionary, he sent a letter home encouraging her family to prepare to go to the temple to be sealed as a family for eternity.
"The new year was an opportunity for our family to make some changes. In the many months that followed, we established family patterns of righteousness. We prayed together, studied about the ordinances of the temple, paid our tithing, and attended our meetings regularly — as a family. Shortly after my brother returned from his mission, we were prepared to receive the ordinances of the temple. I knew the Lord heard and answered our prayers as we surrounded the holy altar in the temple and were sealed as a family for time and all eternity.
"Can you make a difference in your family? Yes, you can!"
