Counsel in a Council in a Family

Counsel in a council.  The brilliance and spirit of group thinking can be stunning!  I've seen this principle operate in business, educational and church settings.

But!  I love it, absolutely love it, love it, LOVE IT! when it happens in the family. Whether around the table in our weekly family meeting, or one on one in a phone conversation the exhilaration is there.  The solutions and ideas that come through individual expression and willingness to work among family members is a glorious prize.

A few of my favorite council moments of  insight, help and ideas:

• Our family council tablecloth with washable markers produced this illustration from one son that wanted to explain how justice and mercy are all mixed up when the family rules are foggy.  He drew this at one meeting. 

• The family gathering around the table offered help to two daughters who started an art business. We cleaned up, fixed up and prepared an art studio.

• Last week on the phone my daughter shared one of her favorite scriptures from Alma 26:6-7 about belonging to the Lord and being in the hands of the Lord of the harvest.  It was beautiful.  I had never pondered that scripture in a personal way before. 

• My son asked about family history and what does it mean when hearts turn to the fathers.  We went to familysearch.org and found amazing information that was particularly helpful to me that week.  I would never have found it had he not asked that question.

• In discussion of 2 Nephi 11 we concluded together the principle:  Pondering is essential to revelation.  One child added, "God won't testify to a sack of rice." 

•  The wonderful moment when my son offered to be manager of the garden.  The charts and the descriptions and the discussion were a wonderful beginning to new understandings of stewardship and responsibility.

Our meetings are not always fruitful.  Sometimes they are a bit of a mess.  However, I've seen enough good come from our small efforts to encourage me to persist in seeking solutions together.  From a discussion of the love the people had for their leaders, Moroni and Lehi, who sacrificed for them in Alma 53, one child concluded;  "All the big ostentatious special government buildings, palaces, mansions, and congressional meetings are insignificant in comparison to a humble and peaceful home."  And there it is.  Perhaps if more answers are found in the family, there is less need for programs and politicians.  And just maybe all the programs, committees and debates in government settings won't bring answers and peace and love like those possible in a family gathered around a table.