This month marks the 40th year of Mormons setting aside Monday nights for family home evening — a program with a rich, prophetic history.
In October 1970, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially designated Monday nights for use churchwide as family night. On this night, no other ecclesiastical function was to be held so that families could gather at home.
Although the designation of Monday night was new, the counsel to have a weekly family night was not. Members of the church were first asked to hold a regular family night in 1915.
"We advise and urge the inauguration of a 'home evening' throughout the church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord," said the First Presidency of the time, led by President Joseph F. Smith, in a statement. "If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them."
Parents were asked to choose an evening and institute their own family night. It was to be a night to teach the gospel but also a night for parents and children to enjoy each other and grow in love. Although many years have passed, those basic tenets have not changed.
"Family home evening is more for the purpose of teaching values and gospel principles, displaying talents and enjoying different kinds of family fun and activities," said Stephen Covey, LDS businessman and author.
In 1966, stakes were urged to assign a specific night each week and designate it as family night in the stake. They were directed not to schedule church activities on that night. Family home evening as we know it was emerging.
The 1970 declaration to set aside Monday night was one more step in helping families come to Christ.
"Well-planned family home evenings can be a source of long-lasting joy and influence," said President Joseph Fielding Smith and his counselors. "These evenings are times for group activity, for organizing, for the expressions of love, for the bearing of testimony, for learning gospel principles, for family fun and recreation, and of all things, for family unity and solidarity."
In 1983, the current "Family Home Evening Resource Book" was released for use by families.
"The Family Home Evening Resource Book has two major goals: to build family unity and to teach gospel principles," according to the book's introduction.
From first aid to four square and testimonies to tithing, the book helps households shape family night endeavors.
The prophetic charge to hold weekly family home evening is still in effect today.
In October 1999, President Gordon B. Hinckley and the First Presidency of the church, which included current President Thomas S. Monson, released a letter to members of the church throughout the world.
"Monday nights are reserved throughout the church for family home evenings," according to the statement. "We encourage members to set aside this time to strengthen family ties and teach the gospel in their homes. … Where practical, members may also want to encourage community and school leaders to avoid scheduling activities on Monday evenings that require children or parents to be away from their homes."
Melissa DeMoux is a stay-at-home mother of six young children who lives in West Valley City, Utah.