October 10, 2010

I read an Ensign article from August's Ensign by Robert D. Hales called Our Parental Duty to God and to the Rising Generation. He poses a question that I feel is very important to remember often and to answer affirmatively: "Do we recognize the urgency of our duty to help our children understand and live gospel principles?" He gives several suggestions of how to "establish a house of learning" and they are to:

• focus the minds and hearts of children on the Savior
• lead and teach by example
• establish righteous patterns in the home
• encourage meaningful personal prayer and scripture study
• use tools the church provides to parents
  

My favorite suggestion is to "lead and teach by example." I know of a surety that children recognize inconsistencies between adults' words and actions very easily for I remember being a child myself and noticing such inconsistencies. What I noticed then as a child helped me resolve that I wanted to live my life in such a way that would show my children what I believe, not just tell them. The words are powerful, and they were powerful enough to convert my young heart to gospel principles, but I know that even more powerful in helping a child choose to walk in the ways of the Lord is an example of righteous behavior, righteous choices. I want my children to understand as much as they can about finding joy in this life and the life to come from what they observe as my own choices and actions. I want to be an example for them that points them directly to the Savior's example so they "may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."