The scriptures teach that the Lord’s house is a house of order.  We read in D&C 132: 8 “Behold, mine house is a house of order saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.”  In his article, “Building Your Eternal Home,” our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, states, “Our house is to be a house of order.”  It is wise to follow the prophet’s counsel and model our home after the Lord’s house.  We must   “Organize ‘ourselves’; prepare every needful thing; and establish …a house of order.” (D&C 88:119)

After returning from a much overdue date-night, my husband and I found our once tidy, organized home, a mess.  There were cups on the piano, potato chip crumbs mashed in the carpet, and dishes left with half eaten food all around.  It became clear that our young children were relying on someone else to pick up after them, usually myself.  Our caregiver that evening did not know our expectations, nor did our children.

We discovered that we needed to set our house in better order.  We recognized the need to make our home a place in which each member of the family contributes and has responsibility for making our home a happy place.

To address the issue, we devoted our “family night” to creating a “House of Order” Pledge.  We began by asking the children to describe their idea of an ideal home.   At first the children’s responses were superficial, but after my husband and I explained that we wouldn’t be moving to a mansion or adding a basement to our house, we jotted down some very effective ideas.

Our discussion revealed each of our concerns.   As mother, I wanted to address keeping the home tidy, and making each family member responsible for cleaning up after themselves.  My husband was concerned about safety as the children were at the age when they wanted to answer the telephone and door, and play outside with their friends in the neighborhood.  The children were concerned with sharing their toys and not taking one another’s things without permission.  We all wanted to be treated with kindness, respect and love.

From this discussion we printed a list of 8 rules that will contribute to our goal of living in a house of order.

1.  We treat each other with kindness, respect, and love.

2.  We clean up our messes.

3.  We eat only in the kitchen, playroom, or at the table.

4.  We show respect for other peoples’ property and opinions.  We always ask first!

5.  We make sure Mom or Dad know where we are, always!

6.  We never leave the backyard without an adult.

7.  We use good manners.

8.  We never answer the door or telephone unless Mom or Dad is there.

As our family matures our needs will change and revisions will be made.  This pledge hangs, matted on our refrigerator.  Many guests have commented on it and my children will refer to it when there is an objection to a rule.  It is also a “matter-of-fact” way of teaching their friends how we expect them to behave in our home. 

We are reminded in Matthew 12:25, “a house divided against itself shall not stand.”   There is something powerful in a written statement, created together.  Our pledge stands as a witness that we, as a family, are united and accountable for our efforts at working toward establishing a house of order. 

By:   Beth

Thomas S. Monson, “Building Your Eternal Home,” Ensign, May 1984, 16.