Mormons Celebrate 'Family Home Evening' 100th Anniversary

On 27 April members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the faith's "Family Home Evening" program.

On this date in 1915 members of the Church's senior governing body, the First Presidency, signed a letter that went to Latter-day Saints around the world, encouraging the practice of holding a weekly family night.

In 1970 Church leaders invited families worldwide to make Monday night the time to hold this weekly gathering.

"Family Home Evenings" are simple activities organised by parents usually involving prayer, singing, a lesson on a principle such as honesty, service to others or keeping the Sabbath Day holy, a game and snacks.

Read more about the Family Home Evening program.

This year Latter-day Saints are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the publication of "The Family: a Proclamation to the World."

In 1995, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” This proclamation is a declaration and reaffirmation of doctrines and practices that prophets have stated repeatedly throughout the history of the Church. It contains principles that are vital to the happiness and well-being of every family.

The opening paragraph of the document states: “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

Read more about The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

In an address earlier this month, Latter-day Saint apostle, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, said, "A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive."

Read or watch Elder Christofferson's talk, titled, "Why Marriage, Why Family."