The central core of the foundation of any society is the home. President Thomas S. Monson has taught us, “Actually, a home is much more than a house. A house is built of lumber, brick, and stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. A house can be a home, and a home can be a heaven when it shelters a family. When true values and basic virtues under gird the families of society, hope will conquer despair, and faith will triumph over doubt.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 64–66)

The home is the first institute of learning in which children are automatically enrolled as pupils. Therefore, the home becomes a virtual classroom, and fathers and mothers, the patriarchs and matriarchs of the home, become the first school teachers that their children encounter. They teach their children their first life lessons, imparting to them the basic knowledge that they will need in order to survive in society, thus preparing them to enter that larger institute of higher learning called life.

There are many lessons that are taught in the home and the learning process for a child is begun the moment that they as a baby are brought home from the hospital and become part of a family. It is in the home where children learn to live together, work together, laugh and play together. It is here where they learn that the key word is togetherness. Here is where they learn how to peacefully resolve conflicts amongst one another and to never let the sun go down while being angry or upset with either their parents or one of their siblings. This is the place where children learn the true meaning of unity and gain an understanding and appreciation of knowing that together they stand, but divided they fall. It is in the home where children are nurtured in the Word of God and have their feet planted on the path that they should follow. 

President Monson has further taught us, “The home is the basis of a righteous life and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfil its essential functions. . . . Such values, when learned and lived in our families, will be as welcome rain to parched soil. Love will be engendered; loyalty to one’s best self will be enhanced; and those virtues of character, integrity, and goodness will be fostered. The family must hold its preeminent place in our way of life because it’s the only possible base upon which a society of responsible human beings has ever found it practicable to build for the future and maintain the values they cherish in the present.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 64–66)

The home is the place where the word love is not a noun, but a verb. True love is not only demonstrated through spoken word, but is shown in the day-to-day relationship of the parents with one another, as well as, the relationship that the parents have with each of their children, and the children in turn have with their parents and each other. Hanging above the threshold as one enters the portals of the home hangs a proverbial sign that reads “Love Is Spoken Here.”

President Monson also admonishes us that, “Happy homes come in a variety of appearances. Some feature families with father, mother, brothers, and sisters living together in a spirit of love. Others consist of a single parent with one or two children, while other homes have but one occupant. There are, however, identifying features which are to be found in a happy home, whatever the number or description of its family members. These identifying features are:

A pattern of prayer.

A library of learning.

A legacy of love.

(Thomas S. Monson, “Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 64–66)

Show me a child who has been properly raised in a home as to how to relate to others, and I will in return show you a child that will adjust well in dealing with people in society. If a child does not adapt well to living in peace with his own family, he will not adjust well to being in society with total strangers. It all begins in the home. There is beauty all around, when there is love at home. 

The home is the central core of the foundation of any society and the family is society’s hope for the future. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)