Family Pecan Trees

On the plains of Texas and Oklahoma, homesteaders planted groves of slender shoots that would grow into pecan trees. These were called "grandchildren groves" because only the farmers' grandchildren would enjoy the fruit of their laborspecan trees take a lifetime to mature. Some farmers felt that such effort was a waste, and instead of pecans they planted plum trees that grew quickly and soon produced fat, juicy fruit. For a decade or two, the plum trees did well, but eventually their soft wood split, and from the roots sprouted plum bushes that became a snarl of scraggly, unproductive branches.

In Family Pecan Trees, Elder Carlos E. Asay asks what kind of trees we are planting in our families. Are we looking for a quick and easy way to rear our children, or are we planting a legacy of faith that will endure through the eternities?

In clear, practical terms, Elder Asay presents sixteen "pecan-tree" practices that families can plant in their homes. He explains the importance of prayer, scripture study, family home evenings, priesthood blessings, names of significance, personal parent interviews, memories, good humor, personal and family histories, family organizations, family traditions, communication lifelines, love and service at home, church service, home and church worship, and temple activity and worship. Not just a book of theory, Family Pecan Trees offers specific things Latter-day Saints can do to strengthen and protect their families for generations. It also includes charts and checklists to help them measure their progress.

Elder Asay writes, "It is my prayer that this book will help families plant the right crop and harvest the right fruit within their family garden plots. I hope that these suggestions will find proper rooting and bring about the cross-fertilization of other wholesome practices, so that it might be said of all family trees, 'I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit.'"

About the Author

Carlos E. Asay, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has served as president of the Europe Area, executive director of the Church Curriculum Department, editor of the Church Magazines, executive director of the Missionary Department, and president of the International Mission.

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