Resources to Strengthen Marriages and Families

The Strengthening the Family and Strengthening Marriage courses can help couples enrich their marriage relationship and improve their skills in parenting.

Strengthening the Family

Strengthening Family manuals

This course was developed to help you understand the principles of effective parenting and improve parenting skills. The course covers nine topics: Parenting Principles and Practices; Understanding Child Development; Communicating with Love; Nurturing Children; Fostering Confidence; Overcoming Anger; Resolving Conflict; Teaching Responsible Behavior; and Applying Consequences. 

Strengthening Marriage

Strengthening Marriage manuals

This course was developed to help spouses develop and maintain an enriching relationship with your spouse. The course covers six topics: Applying Gospel Principles, Communicating with Love, Fostering Equality and Unity, Overcoming Anger, Resolving Conflict, and Enriching Marriage.

How to establish a course at the stake or ward level:

  • Discuss with your ward or stake leader and where available consult with your local office of LDS Family Services. These courses can be taught by ward or stake volunteer instructors. The course is not approved Sunday School curriculum.

The following manuals can be ordered by your ward or branch:

  • Strengthening the Family "Resource Guide for Parents". English. (36612)
  • Strengthening the Family "Instructor's Guide". English. (36613)
  • Strengthening Marriage "Resource Guide for Couples". English. (36888)
  • Strengthening Marriage "Instructor's Guide". English. (36889).

The Family: A Proclamation to the World 

The Family: A Proclamation the World documentThis proclamation from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve reaffirms the importance of marriage and the family in God's eternal plan. It also emphasizes parental responsibilities and outlines principles for happy and successful families.

3 Simple Ways to Become a Happier Family

3 Simple Ways to a Happier Family manualThis booklet combines the following pamphlets into a single publication: 10 Ways to Improve Family Communication, 10 Ways to Take Time for Your Family, and 10 Ways to Teach Values in the Home.

Marriage and Family Relations

Marriage and Family Relations manual

This manual contains 16 lessons. Eight lessons are on strengthening marriage and eight are on becoming better parents. The lessons may be taught individually in other settings. They may also be used as a resource for first-Sunday Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society instruction and for youth instruction.

Family Guidebook

Family Guidebook manualFor all members, especially new members and those with limited experience in the Church. It outlines the purpose and organization of the family, contains information on how to teach the gospel in the family, how to fulfill family responsibilities, how the family can be a Church unit, and how to perform priesthood ordinances and blessings.

A Parent’s Guide 

A Parent's Guide manualThis booklet explains the various stages of a child’s development and emphasizes the need to teach gospel principles in the family. It also suggests ways for parents to teach children about intimacy and the importance of families.

Cornerstones of a Happy Home

Cornerstones of a Happy Home pamphletThis pamphlet features an address given by President Gordon B. Hinckley at a fireside for husbands and wives on January 29, 1984.

 

Building an Eternal Marriage

Building and Eternal Marriage manualThis manual is a collection of selected readings from General Authorities. Readings are arranged by topics that relate both to preparing for temple marriage and building an eternal marriage. For institute courses Religion 234 and 235. Also useful for individual and family study.

Preparing for an Eternal Marriage

Preparing for an Eternal Marriage manualThis teacher manual contains 21 lessons with teaching suggestions that correlate with the Religion 234 portion of the Eternal Marriage Student Manual.

 

Being a Righteous Husband and Father

Being a Righteous Husband and Father pamphletThis pamphlet features an address given by President Howard W. Hunter in the priesthood session of general conference on October 1, 1994.

 

Family Home Evening Resource Book

Family Home Evening Resource BookThis book is a resource for planning family home evenings. It contains 37 lessons and the following other sections: “Making Home Evenings Successful,” “Lesson Ideas,” “Building a Strong Family,” and “Family Activities.”

Our Family: A Practical Guide for Building a Gospel Centered Home

Our Family: A Practical Guide for Building a Gospel Centered Home pamphletThis pamphlet contains many suggestions for living the gospel in the home.

 

Strengthening Families

Strengthening Families DVDThis video recording features Elder Dallin H. Oaks discussing how the teachings of Jesus Christ can strengthen families. Real-life situations and members’ testimonies illustrate the principles.