Teaching the Gospel in the Home

Teaching children with kindness and love

The Lord has commanded parents to teach the gospel to their children. He said:

“Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.

“For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized.

“And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.

“And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” (D&C 68:25-28).

Parents should teach with kindness and love, remembering the Apostle Paul’s counsel to “bring [their children] up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

(LDS.org)

"I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation." (L.Tom Perry)

I do believe that these things are very important to know and understand right now. I have been hearing a lot about the importance of teaching within the home from articles in the Ensign (like the quote from L. Tom Perry), and from Stake Conference just a couple weeks ago, and I believe that Satan is really focusing on the family at this time. We need to hear what the Prophet and Apostles are saying and live by what they are teaching us as best as we can. The things that they say are the words of God, and I know this to be true. Listen and follow the things that they have to say and have been saying for years and years and years and you will be blessed. I know that the things they are saying are important, and they (i.e. the things of the world--like pornography, drugs, the unimportance of teaching in your own home-especially the gospel, etc..) will only get worse if we don't listen.

Please, please, please, remember that you can always go to the Lord for guidance in this life...he is there.

Elder L. Tom Perry - The Message of the Restoration

1, 2, 3...

I found a sheet of paper with a list of 3 things that I must have received from a church class...I like it, so I thought I would share with you....

1."You will notice in each situation in which Joseph [Smith] found himself that the Lord was with him. Is was easy to recognize the special spirit in him because of the way he lived and heeded the voice of the Lord to direct him. That same recognition will surely be with each of us as we are led and directed by His Holy Spirit. Listen to the still, small voice when you are faced with a time of decision. It will surely be a strong warning voice to tell you to turn off the wrong kind of music, to flee from the degrading television programs, or to get out of a web page that will only bring evil throughts into your mind. The Holy Spirit will let you know when you are in forbidden territory. I promise you, if you will heed the voice of warning of the Holy Ghost and will follow His direction, you will be blessed with the ministering of angels, which will add wisdom, knowledge, power, and glory to your life. Remember, the Lord is bound by solemn covenant to bless our lives according to our faithfulness. Only He can turn us into men in whom the Spirit of God namely the Holy Ghost, is."
        --L. Tom Perry, "Becoming Men in Whom the Spirit of God Is," Ensign, May 2002

2. "Elder Hartman Rector Jr. Explained: '[The] ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated.'"
        --In Conference Report, Oct. 1972

3. "Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable. Pornography in all it's forms is especially dangerous and addictive. What may begin as a curious indulgence can become a destructive habit that takes control of your life. It can lead you to sexual transgression and even criminal behavior. Pornography is a poison that weakens your self control, changes the way you see others, causes you to lose the guidance of the Spirit, and can even affect your ability to have a normal relationship with your future spouse."
        --For the Strength of Youth