Building a Family of Faith

Faith in our family begins with trusting our Heavenly Father and His promises. We press forward despite challenges, never giving up on ourselves or our children. We teach our family to have faith in Christ by living what we know to be true. Our children learn their most powerful lessons from our faithfulness. https://www.lds.org/family/faith?lang=eng

Joseph Smith defined faith "not only as a belief but as 'the principle of action in all intelligent beings' He further emphasized in the fourth article of faith that the first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  In the Family Proclomation faith (as a principle of action and power) leads the list of nine foundational principles upon which 'successful marriages and families are established and maintained'  (Hawkins, p185).

Social science research has found strong correlations between faith/religious beliefs and practice and marriage and family relationships.  One study concluded that "based on the evidence of the research we have cited, it may be that [religious involvement] provides that strongest force available to reverse the powerful trends that are breaking fathers and children apart." (Hawkins, p.188)  Another qualitative study by Butler and collegues (1998) produced several findings that included 217 religious participants statements of belief that prayer in their marriage enhanced experiences of emotional validation; promoted accountability toward deity; de-escalated negative interactions, contempt, hostility, and emotional reactivity; enhanced relationship behavior; facilitated partner empathy; increased self-change focus; encouraged reconciliation adn problem-solving; and promoted a sense of guidance from God (Butler et al., 2002), (hawkins, p.189).

Quantitative research has also shown "connections between religious belief and involvement and higher marital satisfaction, stability, duration, and increased commitment and fidelity - as well as greater likelihood of future marital happiness" (Hawkins, p 192).  It further describes that "multi-demensional resources of faith seem to serve as valuable coping resources that help familie of faith to navigate the challenges that inevitably find us all."  (Hawkins p.192)

FHE Ideas:
Scripture:  Alma 44:4  Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea, ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we should fall into transgression and deny our faith.
Take time exploring and reading through and watching the videos on this link on Lds.org... https://www.lds.org/family/faith?lang=eng 
Discuss with your family ways in which your family can strengthen their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ together.