Lesson taught by Bishop Stehmeier

2. Understanding the eternal nature of the family is a
critical element in understanding Heavenly
Father’s plan for His children. The adversary, on
the other hand, wants to do everything in his
power to destroy Heavenly Father’s plan. In his
attempt to defeat God’s plan, he is leading an
unprecedented attack on the institution of the
family.
Richard J. Maynes
Seventy

3. HELAMAN CHAPTER
1

4. CORIANTUMR
ZARAHEMLA
GOVERNMENT
BELIEF
GUARDS IN THE LAND

5. LAMANITES /
CORIANTUMR = SATAN
ZARAHEMLA = OUR HOMES
GOVERNMENT = HUSBAND AND
WIFE
GUARDS IN THE = SMALL AND
SIMPLE THINGS

6. HELAMAN CHAPTER 1
READ verses 17-20

7. 17) Therefore Satan did stir them up to anger, and he did gather
together his armies, and Satan did appoint himself to be their leader and
did cause that they should march down to the homes of the members to
battle against the Latter Day Saints.
18) And it came to pass that because of so much contention and so
much difficulty between husband and wife, that they had not done the
small and simple things in their homes; for they had supposed that
Satan durst not come into the heart of their home to attack their great
home.
19) But it came to pass that Satan did march forth at the head of his
numerous host, and came upon the homes of the members, and his
march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for
husband and wife to build the testimonies of the family.
20) Therefore Satan did cut down the watch by the entrance of the
homes, and did march forth with his whole army into the homes, and he
did slay every one who did oppose him, insomuch that he did take
possession of the entire home.

8. MOSIAH CHAPTER 2
King Benjamin to his people
32) But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise
contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit,
which was spoken of by my father Mosiah.
33) For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who
listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and
remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh
damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an
everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God
contrary to his own knowledge.

9. REMOVING CONTENTION AT THE
PARENT/COUPLE LEVEL
1) ELEPHANTS DON’T BITE, BUT
FLEAS DO
2) BY SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS, GREAT
THINGS ARE BROUGHT TO PASS
3) LINE UPON LINE, PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT

10. 4 RESOLUTIONS TO START …
TODAY

11. -CHALLENGE-
RESOLVE TO DO
1. Date Night
2. Temple Attendance
3. Couples Prayers
4. Fathers / Mother Interviews & Wife
Interviews

13. Does Date Night Matter?
Figure 1 shows that husbands and wives who engaged in couple time with
their mates at least once a week were approximately 3.5 times more likely
to report being “very happy” in their marriages, compared to those who
enjoyed less quality time with their spouse.

14. Does Date Night Matter?
Couple time is indeed associated with higher reports of
satisfaction with Communication

15. Does Date Night Matter?
Couple time is indeed associated with higher
reports of Sexual Satisfaction

16. The Date Night/Temple Challenge
Increase the Quantity and Quality of Date Nights
with your spouse:
1. Increase # of Date Nights / Month by 1
-If you have 1/month have 2
-If you have 2/month have 3….. Etc.
2. One Date Night / Month – Temple
-Be Temple Worthy Starting Today

17. PRAY AS A COUPLE
I know of no single practice that will have a more salutary effect upon your lives than
the practice of kneeling together as you begin and close each day. Somehow the
little storms that seem to afflict every marriage are dissipated when, kneeling before
the Lord, you thank him for one another, in the presence of one another, and then
together invoke his blessings upon your lives, your home, your loved ones, and your
dreams.
“God then will be your partner, and your daily conversations with him will bring peace
into your hearts and a joy into your lives that can come from no other source. Your
companionship will sweeten through the years; your love will strengthen. Your
appreciation for one another will grow”
(President Gordon B. Hinckley in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 83; or Ensign,
June 1971, 72).

18. PRAYER TOGETHER
• Kneel Together
• Give Thanks For Your Spouse
• Ask For Specific Blessings He / She May Need
• Bring Your Heavenly Father Into Your
Relationship

19. FATHER’S / MOTHER’S INTERVIEWS / PWI
Alma 45: 2 - 9

20. FORMAL INTERVIEWS
• Start with prayer
• Make them consistent – every month
• Make them short & sweet
• Ask the hard questions – they expect
them and are ready to respond
• Bless and Testify – Alma’s example

21. INFORMAL
INTERVIEWS
Formal interviews make the informal
interviews a huge success!!!

22. WHAT IS A PWI???
PERSONAL WIFE INTERVIEW
- The wife can ask any question at any time
- Helps in holding the priesthood accountable in the home

23. FAMILY SCRIPTURES FAMILY PRAYER
FAMILY HOME EVENING ATTEND TEMPLE
ATTEND CHURCH
CONTENTION
Date
Night and
Temple
Interviews
Prayer

24. HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

25. MOSIAH 18:21-22
• Remove Contention From The Home
• Look Forward With “One Eye”
• Having “One Faith” & “One Baptism”
• Hearts Knit Together In Unity & Love
• Become The Children Of God