Spiritual Ideas

Since making the reunion spiritual is really the most important part, I’ve included this excerpt from Your Family Reunion: Getting Together Your Get-together so no one will miss this great opportunity for your family’s spiritual growth. –Elaine Flake

INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER 8
IDEAS FOR MAKING THE FAMILY REUNION SPIRITUAL

Well, now we've reached the best part--making the reunion spiritual. It's the part that is somewhat unique to Mormons because of our deeply held convictions that families can and should be together forever. Indeed for us, the very definition of heaven can be compared to an eternal family reunion. If spirituality is not the major goal for our family reunion, we are surely shortchanging ourselves. Of course we know that we can't "make" the reunion spiritual, but we can try to create a climate in which it is possible for the Spirit to manifest itself. Care should be taken to see that the entire reunion, while not necessarily constantly spiritual, is free from any elements that would drive the Spirit away. Contention, off-color humor, inappropriate activities, and even immodest dress, can dampen the uplifting and inspiring environment which should surround us when we meet together with what we hope will be our eternal family.

At least once during the family reunion, there should be some kind of activity specifically designed as a spiritual feast, where you share and strengthen each other's testimonies, where you get that reassuring feeling that you're on the right track in your family and that the Lord loves you and is blessing you. You should feel the comfort of knowing that you will be there for one another as you strive to live eternal principles and seek to be worthy of living in the Celestial kingdom. Most likely this activity will be the testimony meeting, but other activities such as a family history fireside, a campfire program, a missionary meeting, or even an impromptu "remember when" session can also be very spiritual. I do not think it is expecting too much to try to make the family reunion not only fun, but also truly inspirational.

Now--coming down out of the clouds--what if the rest of the family members or at least part of them do not belong to the Church? What if there are less active members, former members, or people who otherwise are just not comfortable with doing religious, LDS-oriented activities? I have learned to anticipate this question whenever I teach a class on this subject. And so, I'll start right out with the only answer I can come up with. You need to forge ahead with as much "spiritual" focus as you can without alienating the family members. Is there some one who will be deeply offended if you do spiritual things? Are you sure? Sometimes people are more willing to be tolerant than you think they are. You might want to have a heart-to-heart chat with them and see how they really feel. I could not help but think about this problem when I was watching the inauguration of President George W. Bush. There were prayers said. Were some people uncomfortable? Yes--but still, the prayers WERE said. You, the person in charge, have to strike the balance between what you wish you could do and what you can realistically do. You'll be sensitive and know what to do.


Important Principles

The important principles to keep in mind are:
1. Don't be insensitive and inflexible
2. Don't be oversensitive and too accommodating
3. Don't reduce the reunion to the "lowest common denominator" even if someone might be uncomfortable or even not come.

You have to do what will be of most good for those who will benefit from it the most. Achieving this balance can be a challenge. Pray for guidance. Examples of problems some families may have to deal with are reflected in statements like these: "We don't have blessings on the food because Uncle Jack thinks it's silly"; or "The Jacksons can't have fun without their beer." If you make too many compromises to accommodate people who have a problem with the Church or its standards, what message are you sending the young people in your family or even those you are accommodating? You will be sensitive to your own family and know what to do as you follow the Spirit.