Deseret News | Reader comments: When you play on Monday night, what else could you be?

Reader comments
Fitting name for softball team

Scott | 10:26 a.m. June 15, 2009

So, even though the First Presidency has over and over asked to avoid things like this on Monday night, you are applauding these people for coming up with cute names and still playing on Monday night when they should be home with their families holding a True FHE !? Amazing.

jim snead | 10:54 a.m. June 15, 2009

I LOVE IT! You have to live this life for your self
not let others tell you whats good or best for you.

Fredd | 1:08 p.m. June 15, 2009

Serious question, Why Monday night? Why can't you just have an FHE on whichever night fits your family's schedule? I coached my daughters softball team and went to night school Tuesdays and Thursdays and not being able to practise on Monday was real pain.

Comments continue below

Scott | 2:21 p.m. June 15, 2009

Why Monday night? Because that's the night that the Prophet has said should be FHE !
Why is it so difficult to understand?

Response to Scott | 2:23 p.m. June 15, 2009

I'm pretty sure the First Presidency has asked CHURCH LEADERS to not schedule mandatory meetings, such as leadership, young men/women outings and so on on Monday night. The Church building should be unused as well. This is to give the members an opportunity to hold their FHE. But many members around the world hold their FHE on some night other than Monday. It's just a little harder because of scheduling.

Plus, how long is FHE anyway? 6 hours? I have an FHE from about 6 to 7.30 and then go work out. Am I a heathen?

Save me Scott.

Chris D.

carol-in canada | 3:38 p.m. June 15, 2009

typically the prophet has asked to hold FHE on Monday evenings , but I am sure that in the past couple of years it has changed to families holding it when it works. Its not the day of the week that is important; rather that we are having it and spending time with our families. And teaching them Gospel principals.

from lds website | 4:13 p.m. June 15, 2009

here is a quote from the LDS website:

Family home evening is a special time set aside each week that brings family members together and strengthens their love for each other, helps them draw closer to Heavenly Father, and encourages them to live righteously.

Hmm... I don't see the word Monday anywhere in that description.

Scott, how will we ever function as a church if not every step we take is spelled out for us in exact detail?

Scott | 6:26 p.m. June 15, 2009

Wow, you people could rationalize anything. Here is a quote from a letter from the First Presidency.

"Monday nights are reserved throughout the Church for family home evenings. We encourage members to set aside this time to strengthen family ties and teach the gospel in their homes".

How much clearer could it be, direct from the First Presidency?

I'm curious to see your next piece of rationalization.

George | 6:56 p.m. June 15, 2009

Family (my family) Home (my home) Evening

RB | 7:24 p.m. June 15, 2009

Good grief -- a bunch of Pharisees.

The debate:
Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law.

Jim | 9:34 p.m. June 15, 2009

Of course the Church isn't a Gospel of force. We can all do what we want, such as play softball on Monday night , which is the Church designated night for FHE. It hasn't changed in the past few years just to accomodate the world as was suggested above by someone. We have choices and if someone chooses to play softball on Monday night and take their children away from a Gospel centered FHE as taught by the Church, that's their decision.

Fredd | 11:16 a.m. June 16, 2009

I appreciate the responses. I had heard a long time ago it was because the church had so many demands that a day had to be set aside where no church activities would be scheduled, i.e. youth, women, men, scouting. But that wasn't my experience living in Utah. I thought it was funny to pick an arbitrary day.

Anonymous | 1:14 p.m. June 16, 2009

Scott and Jim - it is so nice to know that you are there to make sure all of us feel guilty for having FHE any time other than Monday night and that you have the opportunity to judge all of us from your pious, perfect perch. Some of us work on Monday nights, our spouses have family commitments with elderly parents, or our teenagers have jobs or school activities (yes, even in Utah). Heaven forbid we do a FHE on a Tuesday night or a Friday evening activity. I guess that makes it less of a FHE that way.

Scott | 1:53 p.m. June 16, 2009

It doesn't make it less a FHE if it's on Tuesday because of the reasons you stated (Anonymous). What I first referred to was the group that by choice, not required, they don't have to, but by choice they choose to play softball on Monday night when it is so, so clear that this is the night designated by the Church for FHE. And then for a newspaper like Deseret News to publish a "cute" story about how it's neat what they are doing, etc..
I never said I sat atop a perfect perch and certainly don't. Why bring to light something that isn't following the Prophet in such a good and positive light when it really isn't?

Fredd | 5:23 p.m. June 16, 2009

Scott, Why does it matter if there is a conflicting obligation or they just choose another night? Applebee's used to do steak night on Monday's, I assumed to drum up business due to FHE. If it doesn't matter what night you have FHE, why should the motivation to change nights matter. Again, I was always told the church was so dominating of a large families time that as an institution they said no Monday activities so families can have time together.

Scott | 9:56 p.m. June 16, 2009

Wow, again I'm astonished at the rationalization that we can use to justify our decisions and actions.

Hinckley called it Sacred | 10:04 p.m. June 16, 2009

President Hinkcley called Monday night sacred. He specifically said Monday night is sacred. If you don't beleive me, Elder Claudio Costa's talk from the most recent general conference priesthood session quotes him on it and has a citation. Again, let me reiterate, he said Monday night should be considered sacred. Interpret it however you want.

Fredd | 11:05 a.m. June 17, 2009

Does that mean you shouldn't work or shop Monday nights? Bottomline, FHE is Monday night because the prophet said so and no other reason?

Scott | 11:07 a.m. June 17, 2009

Amen ! How are we to treat something that is Sacred?
Thanks for your comment.

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5 photos

Barton Glasser, Deseret News

Tyler Bleazard bats for the "FHE" coed recreational softball team during a game at Copperview Recreation Center in Midvale, Utah. The team chose themes from Family Home Evening to put on their jerseys.

Gallery (5 photos)