Wholesome Recreational Activities in Families

Wholesome recreational activities is the last principle listed in the Proclamation that if followed will help create successful marriages and families.  Though it does not appear as prominently as the other principles, I think we can find examples of wholesome recreation in families in the scriptures.  In D&C 136:28, the Lord said, “If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.”  This was the counsel to them particularly as they crossed the plains like the camp of Israel.  As the pioneers traveled the many miles, they would sing and dance in the evenings in their families, showing us that even in (or perhaps especially in) times of tribulation, wholesome recreation is needed.  In the parable of the prodigal son we have a second example of this principle.  After the wayward son returned home, his father said, “Bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.”  There was “musick and dancing” as the family celebrated together the return of the lost son.  When the jealous brother questioned their celebration, the father said, “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad” (Luke 15:23, 32). In addition to principles of forgiveness and love that this parable teaches, it also shows the need for families to rejoice and “be merry” together.  Another example of celebration in families is found in the Old Testament as the temple of Solomon was finished.  There came “Levites which were the singers… with their sons and their brethren… having cymbals and psalteries and harps.”  They did “make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord… with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick” (2 Chronicles 5:12-13).  These priests brought their sons and brothers to make music with voices and instruments in order to praise the Lord.  Enjoying wholesome music together as they did is surely an activity that helps unite families.  These examples help to show that even the scriptural record supports the invitation for families to participate in “wholesome recreation” together.