PATTYCAKES

This week our Relief Society lesson was on having righteous family traditions. Upon thinking about this subject, many of us thought we did not have specific traditions. But, upon further observance of it, many of us discovered that the very way we live can be a righteous tradition that is valuable to our family's growth and development and the love we have for each other.

The lesson began with some music from "Fiddler On The Roof" where Tevye does his monologue about traditions. He is not aware of where the traditions come from but he knows why they are important for they tell him who he is and what God wants him to do.

I thought that was very profound. For really, we all need to know who we are and what God has in store for us.

And so I want to share some wonderful traditions that some shared in this class today and maybe, you can share some wonderful traditions your family has that lets them know who they are and what God wants them to become:

Aside from the standard ones we know, like praying together and reading our scriptures together, one person said that every year her father writes each child a letter. In the letter he expresses his love and admiration for each of his children but also bears testimony to his beliefs, the ones they were raised with, their traditions.

Another example was from a woman who said that her husband has begun "interviewing" their children, who are very young at this point, asking how they are and what their dreams and goals are, based on their ages. The really sweet thing is that he is video taping them. What a wonderful opportunity to stay in touch with where your children are in life as well as a delightful memory in years to come!

One woman's mom kept a running list of family and individual accomplishments and blessings that the family had received throughout the year. On Thanksgiving day, after dinner, she would read the list. It was a great reminder of all the blessings received that year.

When we don't compromise our principles, when we stand up for what we believe in, even if it is not the popular thing to do, or the politically correct thing to do, or the most comfortable thing to do, we are giving our families a wonderful tradition of being principled during times of world and moral decay. We may have to "suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41) but in the end, we will have established those righteous traditions that will bring us all home, together!