Family Councils

After the April 2016 General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints my family began holding regular family councils as we were encouraged to do so by Elder Ballard. His talk, Family Councils, has been one that has meant so much to me. Our children are still young, ages ranging from 5-10, and I am so grateful that we have started this now. Family council is something our children look forward to each Sunday evening. Since our children are young, they are short, but I believe we are building a foundation for when they are older. We begin with a song and prayer. Then we go over our calendar for the week, this has been a huge help in getting us all on the same page. We end with each family member getting a chance to share their thoughts or feelings with us if they wish. We encourage them to share anything that may be worrying them, or anything that they are excited about, or anything they would like us to pray about for them. As our children grow we will continue to have these councils and I have faith that they will help our children know how much we love them and that they can share anything with us and we will listen and love them no matter what.

Elder Ballard talks of 4 different types of councils in his talk. He shares, “I believe there are at least four types of family councils: First, a general family council consisting of the entire family. Second, an executive family council consisting of a mother and father. Third, a limited family council consisting of parents and one child. Fourth, a one-on-one family council consisting of one parent and one child. Our family is pretty good at holding all of these different councils except for the “executive family council”. That is something my husband and I need to be more diligent in doing so that we can be better prepared to parent our children and lead our family.

Some reasons Elder Ballard gives for holding regular family councils are, “Finally, please remember that a family council held regularly will help us spot family problems early and nip them in the bud; councils will give each family member a feeling of worth and importance; and most of all they will assist us to be more successful and happy in our precious relationships, within the walls of our homes.” These are great reasons for holding family councils. More than anything I want to be able to help my children when they need it. They need to know they can talk to us. I believe this is a way to help that happen. Elder Ballard talks about how holding family councils can protect our families from the evils of this world and help us remain close. After seven months of holding these councils I have seen a difference and look forward to continuing these for years to come. I know my family will be strengthened by these and I am so grateful for that.