Holy Homes

President James E. Faust said, "In addition to temples, surely another holy place on earth ought to be our homes. The feelings of holiness in my home prepared me for feelings of holiness in the temple."

I think this is a good basis for why we talked about family systems this week. Understanding the different family system theories allows us to examine how our own families are and hopefully be able to alter the way we act in certain situations. This, in turn, will allow our homes to be sanctuaries that are "holy" and peaceful, just like the temple. 

Whether or not we realize it, we are always influencing each other. This kind of creates a "mobile" effect. Just like a baby's mobile above their crib, if one piece moves it bumps into another piece which bumps into another piece and etc. It kind of creates a ripple effect, until the whole unit is moving and shifting. This effect isn't necessarily always a linear effect. Sometimes, we can effect multiple people at once and sometimes it comes back and effects us in return. 

To create more positive effects, I think we have to take into account the fact that each of us are shaped by our interactions with each other. Take this mobile for example. Each of these animals live in the same place, but each have their own families, backgrounds, and experiences that have shaped them and essentially taught them how to act. This may not be a good example because some of these animals eats the other ones, but I think in a family perspective we have to consider that not only are we shaping each other but outside influences are influencing each individual member. This means that a brother and sister can learn from their friends, in different experiences, how to act a certain way or a type of slang. The siblings could then say or do something they think means one thing, but to the other sibling it could be something totally different. They had different experiences that taught them different meanings. I think sometimes that can be offending to some people because they're not thinking it could mean something different.

In families, we not only have to be open to different ways of thinking, but we also have to consider the fact that the more we give to each relationship, the more we receive. I've noticed in my own life that when I'm fully giving to others and trying to meet their needs and wants, the more others are willing to reciprocate that and in turn my needs and wants get met. Sometimes, if we feel those needs aren't being met in return, we withdraw from the relationship and stop trying.

Family means working together, forgiving each other, and loving and serving each other. Once all these things are done, family relationships will start to improve.