Happiness in Family Life

Lehi and Sariah experienced plenty of sorrow as their children clashed and argued. (See 1 Nephi 18:18; 2 Nephi 1:17, 21, 24; 2 Nephi 2:1.) Still, Lehi taught them that “men [and women] are that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). And after his death, even though the family separated into two groups, Nephi tells us that he and his people “lived after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27).

Leo Tolstoy opened his novel Anna Karenina with the following observation:

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Anna Karenina, Part 1, Chapter 1

I’ve known many happy families, and of course they each had their own personality and culture. But I think Tolstoy’s observation is still sound: All happy families have some characteristics in common.

The Family Proclamation declares that we are most likely to achieve happiness as a family when we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. It lists nine principles which, when followed, contribute to a family’s happiness. Nine is a long list, but fortunately these principles fall easily into four memorable groups:

1. Trusting in God: faith and prayer
2. Supporting one another as we change and grow: repentance and forgiveness
3. Being kind and considerate: respect, love, and compassion
4. Staying busy together: work and wholesome recreational activities

Of course the label “happy” always comes with a footnote. There are no perfect families. We all have our ups and downs. But as Elder Ronald A. Rasband recently emphasized, these principles can help us in our efforts to become more happy and successful:

Whose life will not be better by applying these key principles? None of us are going to do perfectly; but we can follow President Hinckley’s wise words: “Do the very best you can.”

“The Family Proclamation—Words from God,” October 2025 general conference

Today I will strive to live according to the nine principles in the Family Proclamation. I will turn my heart to God, support family members as we change and grow, be kind, and participate in meaningful activities together.