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Show Tb The Presidents of Stakes, Bishops and Parents in Zion Salt Lako City, Utah, April 27, 1915. Pear Brethren and Sisters: Wo counsel tho Latterday Saints to obsorvo moro closely tho commandment com-mandment of the Lord given In the G8th section of tho Doctrlno and Covenants. "And again, Inasmuch as parents havo children In Zlon, or In any of her stakes wh'ch aro organized that teach them not to understand tho doctrlno of repentance, faith In Christ, the Son of the living God, and of baptism and tho gift of tho Holy Ghost by tho laying on of hands when eight years old, tho sin bo upon tho heads of tho parents; "For this shall bo a law unto the Inhabitants of Zlon, or in nny of her Stakes which nro organized; "And tho'r children shall bo baptized bap-tized for tho remission of their sins when eight years old, and recelvo tho laying on of hands, "And thoy shall also teach their children to pray and to walk uprightly, up-rightly, boforo tho Lord." Tho children of Zlon should also observo moro fully tho commandment command-ment of tho Lord given to nnclont Is rael and roitoratcd to tho Latterday ' Saints: "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may bo long upon tho land which tho Lord thy God glvoth thco." Thoso rovolatlons apply with great force to tho Lattorday Saints, and It is required of fathers and mothers In this Church that thoso commandments command-ments shall bo taught and applied In tholr homes. To this ond wo ndvlso and urge tho ,1 Inauguration of a "Homo Evening" J" throughout tho Church, nt which tlmo fathers and mothers may gather tholr hoys and girls about them in tho homo nnd teach them tho word of tho Lord. Thoy may thus learn moro fully tho needs and requirements of their families; at tho snmo tlmo familiarizing fa-miliarizing thomsolvos and tholr children chil-dren moro thoroughly with tho principle prin-ciple of tho Oospol of Jesus Christ. This "Homo Even'ng" should ho do-voted do-voted to prayor, singing hymnB, songs, Instrumental music, scripture I reading, family topics rnd specific in struction on tho principles of tho Gospel, and on tho ethical problems of llfo, as well as the duties and obit-gat'ons obit-gat'ons of children to parents, tho home, tho Church, society and the nation. For tho smaller children appropriate ap-propriate recitations, songs, stories and games may bo Introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared In the home might bo served. Formality and stiffness should bo studiously avoided and all the family should partlclpato In tho exercises. Those gatherings will furnish opportunities op-portunities for mutual confidence between be-tween parents nnd children, between brothers and sisters, as well as gtvo opportunity for words of warning, counsel nnd advice by parents to tholr boys nnd girls. Thoy will pro-vldo pro-vldo opportunity for tho boys- and girls to honor father and mother, nnd to show the'r appreciation of tho blessings of homo so that tho prom-Iso prom-Iso of the Lord to them may bo lit-trally lit-trally fulfilled and tholr lives bo prolonged and mado happy. Wo request that tho Presidents of Stakes and Bishops throughout tho Church set nsldo at least ono evening even-ing each month for this purposo; and that upon BUch evenings no other Church duties shall bo required of tho people Wo further request that all tho officers of-ficers of tho auxiliary organizations throughout tho Church support this movomont and encourage tho young pooplo to rema'n at homo that evening even-ing nnd uso their cnorglos In making mak-ing It Instructive profitable and interesting. in-teresting. If tho Saints obey this counsel, wo promlso that great blessings will rosult. Lovo at homo and obedlenco to paronts will Increase. Fath will bo developed In tho hearts of tha youth of Israol and they will gain powor to combat tho evil Influences and temptations which beset thorn. Your Brethren, JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHON H. LUND, CHARLES W. PENIIOSE, First Presidency. In harmony with tho foregoing, nt a stnko high council and bishops meeting held laBt month tho first . Monday evening of each month was designated ns Homo Evening for i Cacho stake with tho understanding that conflicting Interests in each ward will as soon ns consistent bo arrnnged so as to mako that evening for tho purposes outlined a Bplendld success. |