As the father of five daughters and the husband of one wife, I really enjoyed this talk. You should all read it and take it to heart, as should I.
President Joseph F. Smith said: "It is not for you [the women of the Church] to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the . . . women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, every thing that is uplifting and . . . purifying to the children of me."
There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman.
Elder Ballard then had some specific remarks for the young women of the Church. This is good advice for my daughters. I am very proud of the daughters they are and the way they have treated their mother. These remarks reminded me that I have such great daughters.
Young women, your mothers adore you. They see in you the promise of future generations. Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings them pure joy. And likewise your worries and heartaches are their worries and heartaches. (I would add that the same applies to me as their father, but I do understand that the relationship is different.
It is all too easy to illustrate the confusion and distortion of womanhood in contemporary society. I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. (I am very proud to observe that all five of you, my daughters, are following that counsel and have been your whole life.) Model yourselves after them. Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her. When it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge. As you approach the time for marriage and young motherhood, she will be your greatest source of wisdom. No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness - in this life and forever.
Love your mother, my young sisters. Respect her. Listen to her. Trust her. She has your best interests at heart. She cares about your eternal safety and happiness. So be kind to her. Be patient with her imperfections, for she has them. We all do.
Elder Ballard next talked to the mother's. And Theresia is a great example of a righteous mother.
Mothers . . . [and] the special role you play in your daughter's lives. Young women behave like their mothers. If the mothers are thrifty, so are their daughters. If the mother's are modest, so are the girls. If the mothers wear flip-flops and other casual clothing to sacrament meeting, so do their daughters. Mothers, your example is extremely important to your daughters - even if they don't acknowledge it.
Now mothers, I understand that it sometimes appears that our children aren't paying attention to the lessons we're trying to teach them. Believe me - I've seen that glazed-over look that comes to the eyes of teenagers just when you're coming to what you think is the best part of your instruction. Let me assure you that even when you think your daughter is not listening to a thing you say, she is still learning from you as she watches to see if your actions match your words.
To us all he adds: In these last days it is essential - even critical - that parents and children listen to and learn from one another.
The Church will help wherever we can. But the home is the most important place to prepare the youth of today to lead the families and the Church of tomorrow. It rests upon each one of us as mothers and fathers to do all we can to prepare our youth to be faithful, righteous men and women. It is in the home where we must teach the gospel by precept and by example.
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Elder L. Tom Perry: Mothers Teaching Children in the Home
Wow, only the Saturday afternoon session and this is the third talk about mothers! Must be a message in that.
Elder Perry said, "Please allow me to . . . share a few of the lessons I learned from my mother about teaching the gospel in the home." He then talked a bit about his mother and added, "Times are very different today, but while times may change, a parent's teaching must never be devalued. Many activities link the values of one generation to the next, but perhaps the most central of these activities is parents teaching children in the home."
I hope that Theresia and I have done an adequate job of teaching in the home. Even though we just have Calais and Taylor at home now, we are still trying to do a good job. I hope also that our children have learned the importance of what Elder Perry is talking about and will strive to teach their children well, in their homes.
Elder Perry counsels, "Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. [We do try to do those things.] They know the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world.
One thing that struck me about that section is the phrase "daily parenting." It really is a daily endeavor. You can't take a week off or a month off because you are really busy, or distracted. Parents need to do those things that Elder Perry suggests, every day. It is a constant effort. And worth it. Our children are examples of that. We worked at it. We were also blessed with special spirits for children. And it has worked very well so far.
The leaders of the Church spend a great deal of time thinking about how to improve teaching in the Church. Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home.
I think this is one area that can really use attention in the church (speaking locally), improved teaching and improve speaking (talk giving.)
There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home.
We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God's children. We are seeing many you people who lack the deep spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven's children are being overcome by worldly desires. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences.
I noticed that this is yet another talk that mentions distractions. That last paragraph was very well put. It sums up a lot of thoughts I've been having lately.
Elder Perry said, "Please allow me to . . . share a few of the lessons I learned from my mother about teaching the gospel in the home." He then talked a bit about his mother and added, "Times are very different today, but while times may change, a parent's teaching must never be devalued. Many activities link the values of one generation to the next, but perhaps the most central of these activities is parents teaching children in the home."
I hope that Theresia and I have done an adequate job of teaching in the home. Even though we just have Calais and Taylor at home now, we are still trying to do a good job. I hope also that our children have learned the importance of what Elder Perry is talking about and will strive to teach their children well, in their homes.
Elder Perry counsels, "Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. [We do try to do those things.] They know the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world.
One thing that struck me about that section is the phrase "daily parenting." It really is a daily endeavor. You can't take a week off or a month off because you are really busy, or distracted. Parents need to do those things that Elder Perry suggests, every day. It is a constant effort. And worth it. Our children are examples of that. We worked at it. We were also blessed with special spirits for children. And it has worked very well so far.
The leaders of the Church spend a great deal of time thinking about how to improve teaching in the Church. Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at church, and our teaching at church helps us to teach more effectively at home.
I think this is one area that can really use attention in the church (speaking locally), improved teaching and improve speaking (talk giving.)
There is no such thing as overpreparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for gospel insights, whether or not they are used during class time, can always be taught in the home.
We see so many challenges today from distracting and destructive influences intended to mislead God's children. We are seeing many you people who lack the deep spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl around them. Too many of our Father in Heaven's children are being overcome by worldly desires. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences.
I noticed that this is yet another talk that mentions distractions. That last paragraph was very well put. It sums up a lot of thoughts I've been having lately.
Elder Bradley D. Foster: Mother Told Me
Early in his talk, Elder Foster told a story about rounding up his cattle in Idaho and herding them to trucks to be moved. Once again, a conference talk that points out distractions in the world.
Because it was so hot, the little calves kept running off into the trees to find shade. My thoughts turned to the youth of the Church who are sometimes distracted from the strait and narrow path. I also thought about those who have left the Church or who may feel that the Church has left their hearts while they were distracted. I thought to myself that a distraction doesn't have to be evil to be effective - sometimes it can just be shade.
In a world where every one is granted agency, some of our loved ones may stray for a season. But we can never give up. We must always go back for them - we must never stop trying.
We never know when a heart may be turned. We never know when a soul may be weary and worn out by the world.
Great things to remember for Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching.
Because it was so hot, the little calves kept running off into the trees to find shade. My thoughts turned to the youth of the Church who are sometimes distracted from the strait and narrow path. I also thought about those who have left the Church or who may feel that the Church has left their hearts while they were distracted. I thought to myself that a distraction doesn't have to be evil to be effective - sometimes it can just be shade.
In a world where every one is granted agency, some of our loved ones may stray for a season. But we can never give up. We must always go back for them - we must never stop trying.
We never know when a heart may be turned. We never know when a soul may be weary and worn out by the world.
Great things to remember for Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching.
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