Brick By Brick: Building A Strong Foundation of Faith in the Home

 

“Life is better and much happier as hearts turn toward family and as families live the light of the gospel of Christ.”

-Elder M. Russell Ballard

In the Caribbean, attending church is not a negotiation. From a young age, I remember being carted off to church numerous times during the week by my grandmother. There were days where we attended three services a day, but looking back at them now, they still remain some of my fondest memories.
The first source of gospel teaching in many Caribbean homes is about Jesus Christ. We come to know of his love and sacrifice for our sins. We often are made to say our nightly prayers with overlooking parents and grandparents who make sure that both the pronunciation and the intention of our prayers are sincere and reverent.



Although I was raised with a strong sense of spirituality and most times had a love of Christ which could move mountains, there were many times growing up when my relationship with the man upstairs was on the verge of an epic breakup.

Throughout this period of Rumspringa (rebellion), I was always grateful that I had knowledge of the Creator and the atonement of Jesus Christ. These things had been taught to me and while they never wavered, it was this hard period that led the missionaries to my home where I accepted the gospel.

Core beliefs such as paying an honest tithing, attending church more regularly than twice a year, the importance of having a nearness and close relationship with God were things that have continued through my conversion.

When the home becomes a place of both learning and reconnecting with our Heavenly Father, we are able to see how the seeds of faith blossom into great blessings for our families. We are able to see how we are to fortify our homes from the adversary and protect them from the evils of our mortal world.

Despite sore feet and hands were swollen from loud tambourine playing as a child, I am grateful for the experiences which I have learned by growing up in a family where the basis and strong foundation was deeply rooted on Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.