During the Feb. 9 Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast, thousands of Church members had their first opportunity to listen to the counsel of President Thomas S. Monson since he became president of the Church. The Church leader's message added an exclamation point to the family-centered theme of the annual meeting: "Building up a righteous posterity."

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Addressing the Church for the first time as president of the Church, President Thomas S. Monson emphasizes the importance of the gospel principles of prayer, learning and love.

The home, he declared, remains the basis of a righteous life. Families come in a variety of appearances, but whatever their makeup, "if we follow the guidelines which have been set before us in this meeting, we will draw closer to the Lord and bring more of heaven into our homes."

More and more, the world is filled with chaos and confusion, said President Monson. Messages abound which contradict the gospel of Christ. "However, when our families are united in purpose, and an atmosphere of peace and love prevails, home becomes a sanctuary from the world."

The Church leader said some might occasionally find themselves bored or irritated with home, family and familiar surroundings, which can appear short on glamour and excitement.

"But when we have sampled much and have wandered far and have seen how fleeting and sometimes superficial a lot of the world is, our gratitude grows for the privilege of being part of something we can count on — home and family and the loyalty of loved ones," President Monson said. "We come to know what it means to be bound together by duty, by respect, by belonging. We learn that nothing can fully take the place of the blessed relationship of family life."

President Monson offered three guidelines to help ensure that homes will be "havens of happiness."

• 1. A pattern of prayer

Family prayer is not an out-of-date practice, he said. In fact, there is not a more beautiful sight in the world than to see a family praying together.

"As we pray with our families each day, we will help to provide the protection we all so desperately need in today's world."

• 2. A library of learning

Good books remain an essential part of a family's "learning library," said President Monson. Reading is one of life's true pleasures in a time when so much is "abridged, adapted, adulterated, shredded and boiled down." Sitting down privately with a congenial book is both mind-easing and mind-inspiring.

"The Standard Works offer the ultimate library of learning of which I speak," he added. "Let us read from them often, both privately and with our families, that we may be enlightened and edified and draw closer to the Lord."

• 3. A legacy of love

"Seemingly little lessons of love are observed by children as they silently absorb the examples of their parents," President Monson said. "Let us make certain that our examples are worthy of emulation."

Homes should be repositories of love: love of each other, love of the gospel, love of fellow men, love of the Savior.

"As a result, heaven will be a little closer here on earth."

In conclusion, President Monson asked that members strive to make their homes havens of love, peace and happiness, "where the Spirit of the Lord would choose to dwell."

E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com

Complete transcripts of the Worldwide leadership training will be available later at: lds.org