Review
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Title: My Home Can Be A Holy Place
Author: Kristen M. Oaks
Publisher: Deseret Book
Genre: Children’s Religious
Year Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 32
Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62972-099-9
Price: $18.99
Reviewed by Trudy Thompson For The Association For Mormon Letters
Through the years there have been many topics addressed in Mormon children’s books. Faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, testimony, forgiveness, families, Family Home Evening, the Godhead, prayer, the Book of Mormon, and other similar doctrines, beliefs and principles. I cannot remember any book, by any author, utilizing the profound principle addressed by Sister Kristen M Oaks’ new book “My Home Can Be A Holy Place.”
Sister Oaks is the wife of Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Before her marriage to Elder Oaks she earned a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in special education, and worked as an international educational consultant for a major publishing house.
Undoubtedly, her educational and career background have given her the wonderful insight that is displayed in this attractive book that simplifies the topic of holiness within our homes. It is a story that teaches children of all ages how they play a crucial role in creating that special environment within their own families.
The story centers around a young girl named Lily, who invites us into her home to see what she and her family do to make their home a holy place. Lily defines a holy place as a place of love and peace, where the Spirit is felt and they learn about Jesus and how to prepare to go to the temple, and what they must do to live with our Father in heaven one day.
The book addresses the various activities that the family engages in that contribute to the spiritual environment of their home. Lily shares how they pray and read the scriptures together, make memories by celebrating birthdays, baptisms, holidays and other happy traditions, how they play together, eat together, and work together to make their home neat and clean, inside and out. The importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy, the power of the priesthood, and the observance of weekly family home evening, and the importance of forgiveness and settling differences quickly are discussed. The young girl also states how they as a family show what they believe, by the pictures on their walls, the books they read, the words they speak, and the music they listen to. They know that every song, picture and word they bring into their home affects the spirit in their home. Their mother has taught them that they need to unplug from the digital world and talk face to face with real people.
The stunning illustrations by award-winning illustrator Dan Burr add to the beauty of this book. His detailed, colorful, and near photograph-like paintings perfectly complement Sister Oaks’ story.
The various topics within the book are highlighted by a ribbon-like graphic at the top of each page, stating simply the principle on that page. Underneath the story line on some of the pages, there are either quotes by general authorities or scriptures that add to the counsel given to parents or older children.
The last page of the book lists the sources of quotations used in the text, and references an online blog (www.homecanbeaholyplace.com) that can be used by parents for additional recommendations to incorporate music, church talks, photos, other Deseret Book products, and even recipes, to uplift individuals and families as they seek to draw closer to the Lord in their homes.
All LDS families truly need this book in their home library. It is a wonderful tool to teach children of all ages, whether in the home or at church, the important role they play in making their homes a holy place.
I cannot wait to read it to my grandchildren!