This is a good point. The media is a frequent and easy target. But we need to make sure that we, as parents, are not contributing to the problem. We need to be positive examples of reverence to our children.
Ask yourself these questions: Am I an example of respect in my home by the way I treat those I love the most? What is my demeanor during a sports event? If my child has a disagreement with a teacher, coach, or peer, do I listen to both sides of the issue? Do I show respect for the property of others as well as take care of my own? How do I respond to others with whom I disagree in matters of religion, lifestyle, or politics?
These are good guidelines for reverence and to measure how we are forsaking the world. The world has one way of acting in each of these areas. But our Heavenly Father would have us act a different way. That way, His way, is the way of reverence and Christ-like behavior (discipleship.)
Reverent behavior is not a natural tendency for most children. It is a quality that is taught by parents and leaders through example and training.
This was a sort of 'news flash' for me. Reverence is not a natural tendency, it must be taught. That makes it a very important responsibility for parents.
Cites Elder Boyd K. Packer talk: Reverence Invites Revelation. It reminds me that we must create in our hearts, our homes, and our meetings places of reverence that will invite the Spirit to comfort, guide, teach, and testify.
We need to create these places in meetings too because that is the purpose of meetings, to have the Spirit 'comfort, guide, teach, and testify.'
What can we do? We can exemplify reverence as we pray humbly, use the proper language of prayer, and speak the names of Deity appropriately. We can handle the scriptures with respect and teach doctrine from them with conviction. Reverence will increase as we show proper respect not only for the General Authorities but for local priesthood and auxiliary leaders as well.
Not only good things to practice ourselves, but also to teach our children.
Our chapels provide places for many different functions, but on Sunday they are places of worship. Only in an attitude of reverence can the Spirit confirm the truths of the gospel through the word of God, music, testimony, and prayer. Reverence will increase if our socializing is done in the foyer and if sacrament meeting begins with the prelude music, not the opening prayer.
More good advice on what to do individually and what to teach our children. It is important to practice these things as adults. This quote would be a good point of discussion for Ward Council. I especially like the advice that 'sacrament meeting begins with the prelude music.' I need to practice that.
To teachers and leaders of children of youth: Love those in your class. Often the child who is the most disruptive needs your love the most.
I need to remember this for my public school classes too.
Years ago President Packer promised the Lord's blessings to those who worship in reverence. Surely those promises apply today: "While we may not see an immediate, miraculous transformation, as surely as the Lord lives, a quiet one will take place. The spiritual power in the lives of each member and in the Church will increase. The Lord will pour our his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems."
I would sure like to receive those promised blessings. So I need to see what I can work on. First, I think, would be to start Sacrament meeting with the prelude music.
What an important topic! Being an example of reverence can make a huge difference in a family or ward. I love President McKay's quote: "reverence is profound respect mingled with love." This reminds me of the scripture in Hebrews 12:9. If we love and respect our parents here on Earth, how much more should we love and respect our Father in Heaven. He has given us everything that we have and we can show our love to him by obeying His commandments - just like we show that we love Mom and Dad by obeying our family rules. Mom and Dad are great examples of reverence and respect.
ReplyDeleteAnother part of this talk that I liked was the reference to President Packers talk: "Reverence Invites Revelation;" then Sister Lifferth gives us ideas on how to "exemplify reverence." I loved all of her ideas: praying humbly, handling the scriptures with respect, teaching the doctrines of the Gospel with conviction, and using the names of Deity appropriately. We should use proper titles of local and general authorities, including Bishop, President etc.
What a great blessing we've been promised for being more reverent: "the Lord will pour out his Spirit upon us more abundantly. We will be less troubled, less confused. We will find revealed answers to personal and family problems." These are blessings that we are all striving for, so the actions that we must do to receive them are through reverence!
Here are my favorite quotes:
ReplyDelete"Our ablity to exemplify reverence for God is strengthened as we show respect for eachother."
•It is important for us to have respect for others. It show Heavenly Father that we are thankful for the things we have, and that we respect Him.
Sister Lifferth talks about how it is respectful to call people Brother So and so, as apposed to their first name. This reminds me of how our yw leaders call eachother by their first name and then say, " Oops! I mean Sister _________."
President Packer, in a previous conference talk, says, "While we may not see an immediate, miraculous transformation...a quiet one will take place."
•This is like a testimony. Sometimes, you have a big change, other times, it comes slowly. But, just because it wasn't big and miraculous, it doesn't mean you didn't achieve reverence.
This talk is the first talk on a talk that I had to give in sacrament meeting, fyi. I like how she talks about us needing to keep our chit chatting outside of the chapel before and after sacrament meeting, so that we can maintain a sense of reverence.
ReplyDeleteThe quote: "Respect for others and respect for God are close cousins. They are rooted in humility and love." This was pretty neat because she is saying that how we treat others also reflects our love for God.
The Primary song that she gives goes along perfectly with this talk from Sister Lifferth: "Rev'rence is more than just quietly sitting, its thinking of Father above..." To be reverent, you need to have the same mind-set that your body is showing. If you are thinking about sports or something during the sacrament, although you appear to be reverent, you are actually not.
Parents are the example that children look for in everything, especially in how to behave and show reverence for our Heavenly Father.
MOM here: "To be able to feed His lambs and nourish His sheep with testimony and the Spirit, we must also cultivate in our homes and classrooms respect for each other and reverence for God." "slef-mastery is not only the root of sel-respect, it is essential ininviting the Spirit to teach, confirm, and testify." I have felt these things in my heart for years. Now I know it is because the Lord was prompting me as I strive to be a better mother and teacher. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is really a key trait for each of us.
ReplyDeleteDad- after 6 kids, it's a news flash that kids aren't naturally reverent?
ReplyDeleteOur primary has problems with reverence, so this has been on my mind. (we did solve a major problem by separating one large, squirmy class).
"our ability and our credibility to exemplify reverence for God is strengthened as we show respect for each other." It shows we see eachother as He sees us-His children. We revere Heavenly Father. President David O. McKay said, "Reverence is profound respect mingled with love."
"Reverent behavior is not a natural tendency for most children. it is a quality that is taught by parents and leaders through example and training. But remember, if reverence is rooted in love, so is the teaching of it." I as a parent, need to be a good example and calmly teach my children about reverence.