Ideas to Transform October 31st

This last week has been an incredible whirlwind. I never could have imagined how well received my video on false traditions would be received. Within just a week and a half of publishing it, it's had over 1,566 views, several comments and shares - and an outpouring of emails from women who are very supportive of and hungry for the message.

In addition to this, there have been many questions come in about offering ideas for creating new traditions to replace Halloween. So, I thought I'd share my thoughts about that here on my blog.

For me, I felt that because the Spirit had asked me to forsake Halloween completely, any kind of fall/harvest party or "celebration" to be had on October 31st, would contradict that promise I made to the Lord. The purpose of a harvest party is to replace Halloween with something better, so that people can still feel included in some kind of a celebration on October 31st and not feel "left out" or that they are "missing out". I felt that I wasn't to treat October 31st as a special day. By treating it special, I'd still be participating in Halloween - just tailoring it to justify my choice. You can paint an apple orange, but it doesn't make it an orange.

As I pondered on this, I felt that because of the nature of October 31st and what that day is truly about, it might not be our best interest to simply do nothing. I heard "spiritual warfare" in my mind. I felt that October 31st would be the perfect evening to counteract all the negative energy, darkness, and evil that reigns on that night. So many, ideas came to mind of things that we can do with our families that bring light into the world.

The first idea that came to my mind was how the temple would be the perfect place to spend October 31st. Worshiping and serving in the House of The Lord - no better place to be. Unfortunately when I went looked at the temple schedule I learned that the temple closes early on October 31st, and I can only imagine it's so that people can celebrate Halloween. That saddened me, and was an eye opener as to how deeply rooted this false tradition is in our culture. It has taken precedence over serving in the temple. What really was an eye opener was that the temples in my area (Ogden, and Bountiful) have limited hours on October 31st (listed under "closures"). As I looked at temples outside of Utah and all throughout the world, they have regular hours on October 31st. I was dumbfounded.

If your temple schedule allows, I think it would be a wonderful idea to make an effort to serve in the temple on October 31st at any time during the day or evening. Next, talk with your family and in prayer, ask the Lord guide you as to what you could best do on that day to serve Him and bring light into this world. It might be a service project for your community, it might be an evening of praise and worship in your home with beautiful music and a spiritual feast, it might be an evening of gratitude and expressing love and thankfulness in creative ways. If you dedicate that evening to worshiping the Lord through praise, service, prayer, and love - I think He will use you as a powerful tool to counteract that darkest day of the year.

We enjoy fall treats, crafts, and activities all through the season of fall. Because of this, I don't feel the need to make October 31st about fall or harvest. I intend to make it all about "Light". It's the perfect opportunity to bring light into your home, your community, and your city on a night where so much darkness increases.

I really feel a movement has begun - and it starts in our homes. As we push darkness out of our homes, and spread the Light - this movement will spread. The more families who opt out of Halloween, the more our culture will feel a shift. If people aren't celebrating it, the temple will resume regular hours. If people aren't celebrating it - we will see less of it in the stores and on our products. It won't be the first thing to greet you when you walk into the grocery store or the bank.

If you have some great ideas for making changes to your family traditions, tag your ideas, pictures and posts with #BeCleanofHalloween on social media to share ideas and connect with others who'd also like to change their traditions. This is a great way to link together and connect!

I have some final thoughts I plan to share about this in next week's video message. So much has happened this week, and I have truly learned a lot. Stay tuned for that message, and remember that no matter what you choose to do - if it brings glory to the Lord, and light into the world - you can't go wrong! :)