I WANT THEM TO KNOW
If according to Alma, what we see (and hear) affects our thinking, and what we think is what we become, then does it matter what we do in our homes for design or what is put upon the walls of our homes? Absolutely! (See Alma 37:35.)
When beginning the transformation of our new house to that of a ‘heavenly’ home it was my desire to use my home to share a message to my grandchildren, and all who entered. For me, I believe that to correctly “pass down our faith” it will even take using the walls—purposely, and beautifully displayed to help with the sacred responsibility. As a feminine influence in our family, we mothers can make our earthly homes a small shadow of the heavenly home awaiting, which I believe will be adorned to tell a story of our lives now.
Because the Living Room is the very first place both family and visitors will step into, I chose this room to share my testimony of our beautiful heritage. I want my children, and grandchildren to know my love for Joseph Smith and our sacred lineage, and how important it is to keep our covenants. I want my family to remember those righteous pioneer men, women and children, who walked before us, and my love for Deseret, because knowing who we are has power in it to change us. President Russell M. Nelson said:
“Once we know who we are and the royal lineage of which we are a part, our actions and directions in life will be more appropriate to the inheritance.” (Thanks for the Covenant)
THE BEFORE
For this room, I failed to get some really good before pictures to show you the simple transformation to what it is now. However, I will describe what was there. The living room had brown shag carpet and outdated baseboards. The celling was painted tan. Animal spots were visible and smelled. The walls had no texture and was colored 3 different shades of outdated blues. The corners were filled with floating handmade shelves, and the curtain rod had homemade shelving attached to it. The lights were extremely outdate.
In creating a house of order, the ‘home transformations’ to which I’m referring too is not spending lots of money. Creating a house of order is using God’s principles and the sights and sounds of our homes to have a place for the spirit to dwell. We’re not talking about color schemes or styles or approval from Johannes Gaines (even though, yes, I do look at the latest paint colors to possibly use and latest style trends to avoid heavily if possible). We are just using enough thought and money to create a home to remind us of His promises. Home decorating isn’t something we “must” know how to do, but it is something we can do, each with our own unique strengths and gifts. And our tastes, of course, will vary. For me, I love plainness, and simplicity. I am very much a minimalist, and will not store anything I will not use. I love straight lines, plain walls, lots of different textures, yummy smells and warm colors. Take a look . . .
AFTER PICS
enormously to the physical and social structuring of this area such as the building of the Manti temple, they also worked as carriage makers, farmers, carpenters, and wheelwrights. Some had worked on ships, and others were teachers. Many of the immigrants sewed, dyed, and wove cloth for clothes and other goods. Some worked as blacksmiths or copper smiths or made tin.
WRITE ON THE DOOR FRAMES
In the days of Moses the Israelites were commanded to write on the door frames of their homes and on their gates—their places of entrances— God’s commands. Why would He have them write? Think of how often they would travel into and out of their homes—probably dozens of times through out the day seeing the visual words of God! Scriptures were not always accessible, so they were able to remind themselves of God’s word by printing it out and pondering upon it. For our homes today, we are under no command to etch the Book of Mormon nor Bible passages on the inside of our door frames, but there are lots of ways we can use our homes to teach His commandments—and one way I chose is my walls. I want my posterity to know their true identity.
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