In 1915, Joseph F. Smith, then President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints introduced what has now come to be called the Family Home Evening program. The church encouraged every family to set aside Monday nights as a special time when the family would spend that time together in their home, strengthening their relationships and teaching each other.

Today Family Home Evening, or FHE, is an integral part of LDS church members’ lives. The program has been recognized by other churches, governments, and activist organizations the world over as a positive program that helps build strong marriages and raise healthy and happy children.

While FHE is primarily focused on families, FHE can be a strong marriage builder as well. My wife and I don’t have children, but we hold Family Home Evening each week.

How to Hold Family Home Evening.

Usually FHE includes an opening prayer, a song, scripture, lesson, activity, treat & finally a closing prayer. LDS.org has a really useful page for planning and running FHE, so there’s no need to recreate all of that information here, but know that it’s not intended to be a formal activity. You can add, take away, or change any of the steps. The point is for your family to be together and do something that will build relationships.

It’s not necessary for FHE to always be at your house, but the emphasis is on families together. It usually works best if it’s at the same time in the same place, with just a few variations on occasion.

How does Family Home Evening benefit your marriage?

Obviously any marriage benefits from more time together. Time together that is focused on something is even better. Guys, women love it when they know that there is a time set aside every week when you will be together. It’s reassuring and it makes them feel like your relationship is a high priority.

If you run FHE the way that it was originally created, putting God into your marriage will benefit your relationship as well. Any couple that has a strong spiritual life will be closer emotionally as well.

What kind of activities do you do for FHE?

Just about anything that your family would enjoy doing is a good FHE activity. As long as the whole family can participate and it builds rapport (no, watching a movie doesn’t count) you can do it!

There are legions of ideas for Family Home Evening activities. You can try here, here, or here.

My personal favorite FHE activities are Murder in the Dark, Settlers of Catan, or bike riding.

What do you do to engage your family and your marriage on a regular basis?

Do you have any sort of formalized activities that your family does? Do you have questions? Share them in the comments below.