JoLene's Family Recipes

After I proposed to JoLene, she warned me that she "was not a good cook." In my mind, I finished that sentence with the word "yet." "Not a good cook, yet." The reasons for my confidence? I knew that JoLene was wickedly smart, a voracious reader, and a creative artist. I bet that these three characteristics would lead to award-winning meals. By any standard, I won that bet.

But way more important than JoLene's artistry in the kitchen is her commitment to family and "slow food."

We both worried about the long-term effects of what I call "pop-tart" families in a fast-food world — families where each member, acting in isolation, pops a prepackaged so-called meal into the toaster or microwave, stands over the sink, wolfs down his or her "fuel" while doomscrolling on the phone. We agreed that families should be more than a group of independent contractors loosely held together by a common need to heat their food and take cover from the rain.

We took the First Presidency's proclamation seriously — "the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children." A practical and primary tool to get families to live up to their potential is a deliberately slow collective dinner. A consistent family dinner may even rival family prayer, family scripture study, and family home evening in its ability to build family unity.

I grew up in a family that ate dinner together. Each family member played some role in the preparation and cleanup. During dinner we talked about school, sports, church, vacations, current events, etc. We discussed family issues and talked our way through problems. I still have a great fondness for warm rolls, fresh berry pies, and steamy rice, not necessarily because of their taste; rather, it's because of the fond memories they conger up in my mind.

Fortunately for our four kids and me, JoLene has a similar belief to my parents in the magical powers of family dinners. And yes, also fortunately for us, JoLene is a real artist when it comes to cooking.

Most fortunate of all, however, are the social and spiritual benefits the six McQueens have, are, and will reap from sitting down together at family dinners.

May your dinners be slow. May your meals edify the soul as well as feed the body.

Bon Appétit! JoLene's husband Grant