As we reflect over the last three unique months, have we seen first-hand how and why the new Come Follow Me Program came into play when it did? Was it designed to help train us for the current challenges we are facing? Was this foresight from our Heavenly Father through His Prophet and leaders to prepare us for something? The new home-centered and church-supported curriculum seems to be very timely. In a talk by Elder Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy he talked about a billboard that caught his eye – “Serving the Finest of Homes in Salt Lake City.” He gave four points on what it takes to have a “Finest Home” that I would like to share with you:
First, from the Lord’s perspective, establishing the finest homes has everything to do with the personal qualities of the people who live there. These homes aren’t made fine in any important or lasting way by their furniture or by the net worth or social status of the people who own them. The finest characteristic of any home is the image of Christ reflected in the home’s residents. What matters is the interior design of the souls of the inhabitants, not the structure itself.
Second, residents in the finest homes make time to study the scriptures and the words of living prophets every day. President Russell M. Nelson has invited us to “transform” and “remodel” our homes through gospel study. His invitation recognizes that fine homes house the tender, vital work of personal growth and remodeling our weaknesses. Studying the scriptures brings us closer to the Savior, whose generous love and grace assist us with our growth.
Third, fine homes follow the blueprint created by the Lord for His finest home, the temple. Building a temple begins with basic steps—clearing brush and leveling land. Those initial efforts to ready the ground might be compared to keeping the basic commandments. The commandments are the foundation on which discipleship is built. Steady discipleship leads us to become firm, steadfast, and immovable, like the steel framework for a temple. This steady framework allows the Lord to send His Spirit to change our hearts. Experiencing a mighty change of heart is like adding beautiful features to the interior of a temple. As we continue in faith, the Lord gradually changes us. As we become more like Him, we will feel at home in His house, and He will feel at home in ours.
Fourth, the finest homes are refuges from the storms of life. The Lord has promised that those who keep the commandments of God “prosper in the land.” God’s prosperity is the power to press forward despite the problems of life.
It is my hope and prayer that wherever we live, whatever our house looks like, and whatever the composition of our family, that we will all have the strength and desire to strive to build the “Finest of Homes” for our families.