Maybe everybody in your family attends church. If so, you should consider yourself to be very fortunate. Many members of the church have parents or siblings who don’t attend church. They aren’t alone. Many church leaders have come from homes where family members were not active in the church. For example, Elder Richard G. Scott’s mother was less-active, and his father was not a member of the church. Elder David A. Bednar’s father was not a member of the church while he was growing up.
One of the best ways you can help less-active family members come back to church is to be the very best person you can be. President Hinckley often said “The most effective tract we will carry will be the goodness of our own lives” (Ensign, May 1999, 107). As family members see the goodness of your life they will be more likely to want to participate in the gospel.
In 3 Nephi 18, the Savior taught his disciples how to treat members of the church who were not living up to their covenants. He said, “Unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them” (3 Nephi 18:32). Notice what the Savior says that we should do and what he will do. He will heal them, and as we continue to minister we can be the means by which they decide to come back. There are some things that we can do; however, ultimately the Savior is the source of healing.
There are many ways we can minister to our family members. Part of that is providing loving service. Part of that may be inviting them to attend church or activities. Perhaps one of the best things we can do for those we love is to pray for them. In some cases that may mean sincerely praying daily for years. We can pour our hearts out to the Lord on behalf of those we love.
As you work to help less-active family members come to church, remember this counsel from Elder Richard G. Scott: “Never give up on a loved one, never!” (Ensign, May 1988).
I have children who are not active, but they know where my values are, they respect mine and I respect their choices also. It is through love and staying strong that they will return. Remember who you are, what you stand for and what is important. We cannot lift someone up if we are putting them down. Each of us have been given free agency, please do not take mine away from me, but allow me to bear witness of the truths that I hold dear to my heart.
I was once very much less-active. Through the love, faith, and countless prayers of my parents and some of their dear friends, I have come back to the church. I have even found an eternal companion with whom we share the joys of a forever family. NEVER GIVE UP!!! I don’t know what my life would be like today without the persistant faith of my family.