"The family is central to the creator's plan for the eternal destiny of his children...In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life."1
The love I have towards my family is eternal. I want to be with them for forever and ever. They are my everything. I am grateful for the knowledge that as I keep my covenants that I made in the temple and follow the ways of the Lord I will be able to be with my family for all eternity.
1.Alan J. Hawkins and David C. Dollahite and Thomas W. Draper,
ed., “Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research
Perspectives”, Chapter 32
Elder David O. McKay shared the teaching of Joseph Smith by staying, "The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God"1 We are not promised all that our children will choose to live the way we intend to live, they have their agency. But as my husband and I made the choice to marry in the LDS temple for time and all eternity we secured our posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by virtue of the covenant we have made within the temple.
1.Alan J. Hawkins and David C. Dollahite and Thomas W. Draper,
ed., “Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research
Perspectives”, Chapter 16
"Parents have a scared duty to rear their children in love and righteous, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God, and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live."
The responsibilities of a parent can be overwhelming after reading this quote. Where do we start and how do we make sure that we are teaching are children in the most effective way?
I believe Elder Ballard answers best by saying,
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother parent. Each situation is unique. Each mother parent had different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. the choice is different and unique for each mother parent and each family...What matters is that a mother parent lover her their children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she they have for God and her husband spouse, prioritizes them above all else." 1
From Elder Ballard's quote I personal learn of the importance of teaching by action. By living the gospel, loving and serving others, and being law-abiding citizens parents are able to teach their children by example.
I have selected this video to share because it is a great talk given my President Thomas S. Monson in October 1997 General Conference. It is longer then other videos I have shared but it has great insight on how to teach children in the ways of the Lord.
1. Alan J. Hawkins and David C. Dollahite and Thomas W. Draper,
ed., “Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research
Perspectives”, Chapter 11
Being a mother has been the hardest yet most rewarding role I have experienced in my life time. I am the cook, the cleaner, the healer, the bed-time story reader, and oh so much more. My role as a mother is a 24/27 job. Being a mother has brought some of my biggest struggles but I would not trade the joy that has come from learning and growing into the person my Father in Heaven intended me to become.
"As woman engage in the work of motherhood, whatever their circumstances, they will find that their greatest source of strength will come from knowing and following the doctrine of Christ and relying on Him for help." 1
"Verily I say unto you, that every man who is obliged to provide for his own family, let him provide, and he shall in nowise lose his crown" (D&C 75:28)
1. Alan J. Hawkins and David C. Dollahite and Thomas W. Draper,
ed., “Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research
Perspectives”, Chapter 12
We learn in the "Successful Marriages and Families" book that the best type of parenting is authoritative parenting style. It states in the reading that this type of parenting "fosters a positive emotional connection with the children, provides regulations that place fair and consistent limits on child behavior, and allows for reasonable child autonomy in decision making." It is through these three steps of love, limits, and latitude that we are able to become the type of parents that God intents us to become. LOVE:
President Gordon B. Hinckley stated, "Every Child is entitled to grow up in a home where there is warm and secure companionship, where there is love in the family relationship, where appreciation one for another is taught and exemplified, and where God is acknowledged and His peace and blessings invoked before the family altar." Research as shown that children are less aggressive and more sociable and empathetic if they have parents who are more loving, patient, playful, responsive, sympathetic to children's feelings and needs. 1
LIMITS:
Finding ways to effectively help children learn how to regulate their own behavior in noncoercive ways is one of the most challenging parts of authoritative parenting. It is important for parents to be clear and firm about rules and expectations. President Spencer W. Kimball taught, "settling limits to what a child can do means to that child that you love him and respect him." When a consequence needs to be enforced the scriptures teach, "showing forth afterwards an increase of love towards him whom thou hast reproved" (D&C 121:43). Parents must correct in a claim, controlled manner. 1
LATITUDE:
Children benefit from being given choices and appropriate levels of latitude to make their own decisions in a variety of domains. Children learn and grow by making choices within the limits that are acceptable to parents. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, "Helping children learn how to make decisions requires that parents five them a measure of autonomy, dependent on the age and maturity of the child and the situation at hand. Parents need to give Children choices and should be prepared to appropriately adjust some rules, thus preparing children for real-world situations." 1
In this video, Elder Larry R. Lawrence encourages parents to be courageous and take a stand. He reminds parents that they are responsible for the protection of their children both physically and spiritually and those who love their children cannot afford to be intimated by them.
1.Alan J. Hawkins and David C. Dollahite and Thomas W. Draper,
ed., “Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research
Perspectives”, Chapter 10
