January 4, 2011

Tonight I read an Ensign article by Dallin H. Oaks that he gave to the faculty and students at Harvard early last year. It is called Fundamental to Our Faith and talks of 3 basic fundamental truths that are the foundation of our beliefs as Latter-day Saints. The three are:

1. the nature of God
2. the purpose of life
3. sources of truth

I really enjoyed this article. It was interesting to read, knowing it was directed towards those who may be unfamiliar with my religion. In the first part he talked of our "unique belief" in the separate identities of the Godhead as well as the fact that God and Jesus Christ have bodies of flesh and bones. What he said next stood out to me. This belief is "vital to us" but according to interviews with those not of our faith, "we have not effectively conveyed this belief to others." I want to make a point of really internalizing this truth and strengthening my relationship with the Godhead so that when I have the opportunity to share my testimony with others, they will recognize that this truth is "vital" to me. 

In his second section he talks of the purpose of life and I love this part: "We look on bearing and nurturing of children as part of God's plan and a sacred duty of those given the power to participate in it. We believe that the ultimate treasures on earth and in heaven are our children and our posterity." I really do believe this and I am so thankful for the power I've been given to bear children. I love being pregnant and knowing I am involved in the Lord's work in helping to bring His spirit children to earth. I am honored and humbled by the responsibility to nurture my children and to teach them to walk in the ways of the Lord. It is such a blessing and I really do want to have as many children as possible... as many as God feels to bless me with. 

In the third section he talks of sources of truth. I am a truth-seeker. I loved this quote: "We respect our leaders and presume inspiration in their leadership of the Church and in their teachings. But we are all privileged and encouraged to confirm their teachings by prayerfully seeking and receiving revealatory confirmation directly from God." I am so thankful for this privilege and for righteous leaders. I am grateful to be a member of this Church and to be encouraged to seek after knowledge and truth. I am especially grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost to help me discern between the teachings and truth of God and the teachings of man. I hope to always be a good example and a faithful disciple of Christ. I am thankful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I treasure it.

December 13, 2010

I read more of the Ensign I did yesterday and finished Russell M. Nelson's article on preparing to go to the temple. I think it really is an excellent article for those who are preparing to enter the temple. I want to use it as a resource when it is time for me to help my children prepare to enter. I really liked the section on the temple garment. He quoted a letter the First Presidency wrote in 1988 and I especially love the last sentence of that: "How it is worn is an outward expression of an inward commitment to follow the Savior." 

I also really liked the section on how keeping the covenants is protective and enabling. I really believe that is true. He compares it to using a water filter: "When we choose to deny ourselves of all ungodliness, we lose nothing of value and gain glory known only to those who obtain eternal life." It is enabling, elevating, protecting... helping us to "soar" above and through the skies. 

There was a quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell that really stood out to me, because I often hear (and have probably said myself) other say things like, "I love to be in the temple because I can get away from the world." Well, here is his quote: "Temple work is not an escape from the world, but a reinforcing of our need to better the world while preparing ourselves for another and far better world. Thus, being in the Lord's house can help us to make more difference in the world." Because I really have great desires to make a difference in the world, this quote really spoke to my heart. I love it. I would love to put it up with a picture of the temple to remind myself of how important temple work is in helping me to be the person I want to be.

November 28, 2010

Tonight I was turning through the pages of my new conference Ensign and my eye caught on a talk called Courageous Parenting by Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy. I read it and really feel there was some wise counsel in it. This talk was written specifically for parents of teenagers. I don't have teenagers yet, but just like I have prepared myself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for being a mother, I do the same thing for being a mother of teenagers (as well as other things, like serving a mission when I'm older and becoming a grandparent.) I really feel it's important for me to look to the future in that way and to prepare myself mentally and emotionally and spiritually for what I may encounter. So while I am not a parent of teenagers, I really appreciated this talk and was able to apply it to myself.

First of all, I really liked his analogy of having a child sitting on the railroad tracks and hearing the train whistle blowing. How would I act under those circumstances? Certainly I would not casually stand by and hope my child heard the whistle, or resign myself to watching them get run over by a train if they chose to ignore my warnings. "[I] would value [their] life more than [their] temporary goodwill" and do everything I could to quickly move my child to a safe place. He says, "challenges and temptations are coming at our teenagers with the speed and power of a freight train." That means it is vitally important for me, as a parent, to protect my children "spiritually as well as physically."

I want to teach my children to recognize and heed spiritual promptings from a young age, and I believe they will then appreciate my spiritual warnings because they will have experience themselves with "trying to recognize the Spirit when He speaks," and they will respect my attempts to do the same. I feel it is so important for children to receive their own spiritual witnesses and stand on their own testimony from as early of an age as possible. This is what I hope to help my children develop.

I really appreciated the counsel he gave about supporting and respecting a spouse's spiritual feelings about things, because truly it is "important for husbands and wives to be united." It takes trust, love and support to get rid of something, turn something off, avoid something, or say 'no' if one spouse "feels uncomfortable about a movie, a television show, a video game, a party, a dress, a swimsuit, or an Internet activity." I want to parent that way with my husband.

I also thought it wise counsel when he said that "peer pressure becomes more powerful when our children are away from our influence and when their defenses are weakened late at night," in talking of being careful about sleepovers. It's definitely something to be mindful of. He mentioned "five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth: family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner together and regular one on one interviews with each child." Those are all practices that I am striving to develop into habits within our family because I do believe they offer great spiritual protection.

November 19, 2010

Tonight I read D&C 29:40-50. I was very intrigued by verses 46-48. It says that little "children cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me." I wanted to find the scripture that says children are accountable before God when they are eight years old. I found the scripture I was look for in D&C 68:25, 27, but it doesn't say quite exactly what I thought. It says in verse 27 that "children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when they are eight years old." The earlier scripture said that little children cannot sin, yet this scripture says children are baptized for the remission of their sins. So I believe this means that the actual "age of accountability" is sometime BEFORE age eight. I really don't think it is any time before three years old, but at some point, when "little children" turn into "children" they become accountable before God. I always thought that children weren't accountable UNTIL age eight, but I don't think that is truly the case. In fact, in D&C 68:25 it also mentions "age eight," but not in reference to the child being accountable. Rather, it refers to the parents, basically giving a deadline to the parents that if they haven't taught their children to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the time a child turns eight, then the PARENT is accountable and it is considered a sin on their part. It's important to note that the parents this deadline is given to is "parents that have children in Zion." So from what I've read tonight, I've learned that the age of accountability comes before age eight, at some point, and it is probably different from individual to individual. I learned that parents in Zion are expected to help their children understand the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, and that they have until their children are eight years old to teach them that.

I find great comfort in knowing that Satan is not allowed to tempt my sweet little son at this point in his life. And also, for that very reason, I feel a great responsibility to instill in his heart righteous principles and to help him establish a pattern of obedience so that the foundation is strong from his youth and cannot be tampered with. These early years are so vital in accomplishing the Lord's work in my role as mother to help my children learn to walk in His ways. This is not the time to allow distraction to take over. I must be vigilant and teach and live by example while my children are still before their age of accountability because then they cannot be tempted by Satan.

November 4, 2010

Tonight I read another Conference talk called Temple Mirrors of Eternity by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Seventy. I love the imagery he used as he talked of looking in the reflecting mirrors of the temple and seeing our eternal reflection. I love how he compared it to our place in the generations of our family. By looking one direction I can see being a daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter and so on. And looking the other way I can see being a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and so on. I am so grateful for my eternal family. My favorite quote from this talk is "mortality's great lessons distill upon our souls as we learn and teach in eternal roles, including child and parent, parent and child." I really have learned so many eternal lessons through my experiences and role as a daughter. And now, as a mother, I am just beginning to teach in that eternal role and it is truly an honor. Even teaching, I am still learning so much. I love my eternal roles as mother and daughter and am so grateful for the blessing of an eternal family, knowing I will participate in those roles forever.

October 21, 2010

I read an Ensign article from September 2010 by L. Tom Perry called To Returned Missionaries. Even though I'm not a returned missionary I really enjoyed the article. I can't relate to what it feels like to be so consistent and diligent in the areas of prayer, scripture study, and sharing the gospel 24/7, but I can imagine the feeling is powerful. I reread the article later with my husband and asked him lots of questions about his own experiences and feelings from his mission. The reason I liked this talk so much was because it got me thinking about having a family or parent "training center," similar to the regimen of the MTC so that parents can develop these habits of "frequent, consistent and mighty prayer, individual and companion scripture study, and the joy of teaching the gospel." I really want to do these things more together as a family and as a couple. I feel it would really help to strengthen us and bring us closer together, being united more in purpose.

October 19, 2010

I read Alma 38 which is where Alma is counseling his son Shiblon. He begins with the same words he did to Helaman, "inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence." I would venture a guess that Alma feels this is the most important teaching he could ever instill in his kids, and I feel very similar. It is this knowledge along with a sure understanding of the plan of salvation that I feel are the most important things I could ever teach my children.

Shiblon is commended for his patience and counseled to trust in the Lord and to remember to acknowledge the Lord's hand in all things. I really liked verses 11-12: "see that ye are not lifted up unto pride, yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength. Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness." I think all of that counsel is still especially applicable today. The biggest challenge for me among that list is refraining from idleness. I waste a lot of time so easily. I know it is because I don't have clear cut and measurable goals set out for my days. I know I would be a lot more productive if I did.

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."

September 26, 2010

Tonight I read a General Conference talk by M. Russell Ballard called Mothers and Daughters. A few things stood out to me, especially in relation to my study on gender. He says that, "all women have within their divine nature both the inherent talent and the stewardship to mother." He encourages women and girls to "find joy in nurturing children. This is where their love and talents can have the greatest eternal significance." "The most precious element of a woman's divine nature [is] the nature to nurture." These stood out to me as key components of what the Lord expects from His righteous daughters: a mothering, nurturing being who is focused on directing her talents and gifts towards children - the rising generation.

The other thing that really stood out to me from this talk is how important it is, as a parent, to teach by example. My kids will be watching me "to see if [my] actions match [my] words." I know that as a child I certainly watched my parents in that way and I determined in my youth that as a parent, my words and actions would match up. He also says that "in these last days it is essential - even critical - that parents and children listen to and learn from one another." I believe that is so important to remember... the learning is a two-way street. I know my children will have much to teach me as well and I look forward to listening and learning from them.

September 24, 2010

Tonight I read a talk from the last General Conference called Watching With All Perseverance by Elder David A. Bednar. He speaks of early spiritual warning signs that can be used to help protect and direct our families. He gives three "basic components" of an early warning system parents can use with an amazing promise attached. He says that, "parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children." As a parent, that would be a wonderful blessing to me. I want to follow this system. The three things he says to do are:

1. Read and talk about the Book of Mormon with your children
2. Bear testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children
3. Invite children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon

He pointed out that "youth of all ages, even infants, can and do respond to the distinctive spirit of the Book of Mormon." I thought that was a good point to make because I have put off reading the actual Book of Mormon together as a family because of feeling that my son is too young. But I believe that is true, that he can still benefit greatly from the spirit reading that book will invite into our family and our home. I can also see how I can take more spontaneous opportunities to teach him and share with him my feelings about gospel principles. And I was struck by this question: "Are you and I helping our children become agents who act and seek learning by study and by faith, or have we trained our children to wait to be taught and acted upon?" That is an important question and I really really want my children to learn and to be agents.

I think I have a tendency to fall into patterns of training them to wait for things to be done for them for my own convenience, rather than taking the time to teach how to do something themselves. I know my son is just two months shy of 2 years old, not very old, but old enough that I can see in myself some parenting habits I've developed that I want to change so I can better help teach him how to be an :agent who act[s] and seek[s] learning by study and faith." This was a great talk with advice I want to implement and always remember.

September 19, 2010

Tonight I read a Conference talk by Henry B. Eyring called Help Them on Their Way Home. I really enjoyed this talk and the greatest thing was it was an affirmation of a lesson I feel I have learned powerfully in my life within the past five years, and that is the importance of being guided by the Spirit. In fact, that is the only way. He says that we "can arrive back to Heavenly Father only as [we] are guided and corrected by the Spirit of God."

This talk focused on how we can best help youth to return to our heavenly home. The greatest opportunity we have is within our own homes with our own children. We can help them to "put [their] feet firmly on the path home" within those first years of life. I am so grateful for the opportunity and blessing it is to be a mother and help my children develop faith and confidence that they are on the right path that will lead them home. Since the best counsel I can give them is to seek the guidance of the Spirit in their life and to live worthy of that, then the best way I can teach that to them is through my own example of doing that very thing. "We need to pray for the gifts of the Spirit. We need to ponder in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. We need to make plans which are not only wishes but covenants. And then we need to keep our promises to the Lord. And we need to lift others by sharing with them the blessings of the Atonement which have come in our lives. And we need to exemplify in our own lives the steady and prolonged faithfulness that the Lord expects of them." I feel grateful that I myself am on this right path and living by the Spirit because I truly feel that this example of how I live my own life is and will continue to be the greatest gift I could ever give to my children, grandchildren and other generations to follow. I find great joy in living my life this way and hope for each of my descendants to also experience this same joy which comes as a result of faithful, obedient, righteous living.

September 17, 2010

Tonight I read The Family: A Proclamation to the World. These are the things that stood out to me: "All human beings male and female are created in the image of God." Note that both genders are created in the image of a singular God. This is very profound for me. I take that it could mean two different things. One, that "God," as a being, is made of both genders. The other is that "God" is a term that actually includes both a male and female; a husband and wife, working together as one. I believe the second is true. And thus, whenever I read in the scriptures any references to "God" my mind and heart always include both my Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother.

I love that the family proclamation is a declaration of what God's standard is... what his commandments are... not a mandate that everyone must follow, but a presentation of a choice: if one wishes to follow God's pattern, this is it.

I love this paragraph: "Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to LOVE and CARE for each other and for their children." "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives - mothers and fathers - will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations."

Later in the proclamation it says, "By divine design, fathers are to preside [be in authority; administer, conduct, control, direct, govern, lead, manage, operate, run...] over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."

I looked at the definition of "responsible" and feel it is definitely worthy to make note of: it means "accountable, in charge." "Responsible is liable to be required to give an account, as of one's actions or of the discharge of a duty or trust." So when one is responsible for something, it doesn't necessarily mean they themselves have to be the only one to fulfill the duty... it means they will be accountable as to how that duty was fulfilled. So fathers are responsible for providing the necessities of life and protection for their families. I imagine a father who wants to fulfill his divine responsibility would constantly be asking himself: "How are my family's needs being provided for? How is my family being protected?" Those are the questions a father will need to answer come accountability time. And a mother's responsibility is for the nurture of her children. So a mother will be answerable for these questions: "How are my children developing? How and what are my children being taught? What are my children learning? How and what are my children being fed?" I envision a husband and wife working together in council and asking each other for help in certain areas to ensure that they can give the best possible answers for those questions as to what they will be held accountable for.

I did note that there is an expectation of fathers... not a responsibility, an expectation: fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness. Synonyms of "preside" that I found worthy of noting are: "administer, conduct, direct, govern, lead, manage, operate, run..." So if this is the Lord's expectation of his sons as fathers, then I, as a mother, want to ensure that along with teaching my sons to be loving and righteous, that I am teaching them the skills to govern, lead and manage so they will be prepared to fulfill the Lord's expectation of them. It's important to remember that a good leader is a good follower as well. I want to teach leadership skills to both my sons and daughters for they both will have many opportunities to be in positions of leadership. Even in my patriarchal blessing it tells me to accept the leadership opportunities that will come into my life. I want my sons to clearly understand the Lord's expectation of them in presiding over their families in love and righteousness. I love the family proclamation and do believe it to be divinely inspired. I have enjoyed my study of it tonight and feel like it will help me become a better parent and to better fulfill my responsibilities.

September 9, 2010

Tonight I read an article in the July Ensign called What Did the Pioneers Bring by Stephen L. Richards. The things it mentioned the pioneers brought are industry, education, a love for beauty, loyalty, firm devotion to their cause, wisdom, sacred understanding and treatment of the body, character and personality as children of God, wisdom of the family, and brotherhood. I am very grateful for the legacy of the pioneers and all that they have brought. It is a part of who I am today and will continue to be a part of our family as I teach our children of these pioneer qualities found in their own ancestors. I am grateful for the examples of faith my ancestors left.

September 8, 2010

Tonight I read an article from the July 2010 Ensign by the Sunday School General President, Russell T. Osguthorpe called A Work For Us to Do. I loved this article! He brought home the point that the most important learning occurs when we do something and invite others to do something as well, "rather than merely talking about a gospel principle." It's teaching that changes behavior. Within the home is the most powerful place for this kind of gospel teaching to occur. In the three examples given in the article, the teaching moments were not planned, but were spontaneous. I think that's an interesting concept. It implies that i must always be living worthy of the Spirit in order to know when and how to act on those most opportune powerful teaching opportunities. My responsibility as a parent is to be preparing my children for missions and marriage. I really liked this article and it gave me added momentum to be the kind of parent I want to be and that I know the Lord wants me to be as well.

August 20, 2010

Tonight I read a Conference talk by Elder Neil L. Andersen called Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. What a beautiful talk it was. I loved one of his opening statements: "We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith." That goes along with the other talk I read recently as well as the thoughts I've had about our premortal faith while pondering the lives of these new babies coming here.

As I have read and thought about this talk tonight, I've thought more of my son. I can do a better job at remembering who he is, remembering that he already has a faithful spirit and remembering my responsibility to help that faith stay burning in his heart. I can do better at teaching him of Jesus. I really appreciate this talk for that reminder and encouragement. Elder Andersen said, "Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior's life when they wonder what to do in their own lives?" As I read that, I thought about myself too and realized how much I really do look to the Savior's example when pondering what to do in my life. I attribute that deep testimony to the things I was taught in my youth by my parents and by my teachers and friends. I am so grateful I have been taught of Jesus and I want my children to receive that same gift. I can always be learning more of Him myself and remembering to speak more frequently of Him in my home. I love Him and I am so grateful for His example and the life He lived, the legacy He left and the gifts He gave us.

July 22, 2010

Tonight I read a Conference talk by Elder L. Tom Perry called Mothers Teaching Children in the Home. I loved this talk. It really got my insides excited because if nothing else, I do have a testimony of my sacred responsibility as a mother in my home to teach and nurture my children! It is an ever burning fire within me.

I liked the ideas I gained from the example of Elder Perry's mother of quizzing my children whenever they are taught away from home "to be certain the correct lessons [are] reaching [their] ears and shaping [their] minds," of practicing Church lessons on the children, of memorizing scriptures, Articles of Faith, and the words of the prophets. I agree 110% with his mother's belief that "a mind [will] become weak if it [is] not constantly exercised."

I know that my role as a parent and using that position to teach my children in the home is the "most sacred and important responsibility" ... that it is essential to my Heavenly Father's work. I am grateful for what my parents taught me in our home and also grateful for those outside our home who I also learned from. When Elder Perry said, "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" I couldn't help but notice the word ONE. He doesn't mean that we only have to do once, but I believe he means that each time we do one of those things we add a little dose of light and truth to our home. It is my vision to have our home absolutely brimming with light and truth so that when people come in, it is unmistakable to notice.

I want our children to have that added "layer of insulation" to protect them from the "onslaught of wickedness," the "subtle" and "brazen" work of the adversary that is found in the world today. I feel the weight of my responsibility. My son is not mine, he is Heavenly Father's precious child... and he has been entrusted into my care. It is my greatest desire to truly do everything within my power and capabilities to fulfill my sacred responsibility. I will never ever ever ever lose sight of this responsibility. EVER!

June 20, 2010

Tonight I am reading a Conference talk by Cheryl C. Lant titled That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior. I enjoyed this talk and found it interesting that it tied in so closely with what I have been studying lately. She even quoted the same scripture I did a few days ago, D&C 93:1. I appreciated this confirmation of what it takes to see His face: "Coming to Christ, and eventually seeing His face, comes only as we draw close to Him through our faith and our actions. It comes through a lifetime of effort." That last phrase especially struck me because I have been making a sincere effort to do this gospel study every day with pen in hand and I've done it now for almost two weeks. That's such a short amount of time compared to a "lifetime of effort" but truly, it is my desire to make this a lifetime goal. I never want to stop. I do want to get better at doing it earlier in my day and on a more consistent basis.

Sister Lant uses the account in 3 Nephi as a "pattern to follow" for how to help me, as a parent, to help bring my children to Christ so they can see His face too. Because of my cross stitch hobby, I love the concept of following a pattern. It works. It really does. By following a pattern the best I can, my finished piece looks exactly like the picture I am given to begin with. The pattern she gives for helping our children come to Christ is that "First, we must love the Lord with all our hearts, and we must love our children. Second, we must become a worthy example to them by continually seeking the Lord and striving to live the gospel. And third, we must teach our children the gospel and how to live its teachings." She points out that these things take time, experience, and faith. I always need that reminder because I am very accustomed to seeking after things with immediate results. Working at something long enough to see results has been a lifetime challenge for me. It is important to me to follow this pattern of parenting.

I want my children to come to know God and Jesus Christ. I want them to learn from my example. And I want to be a good teacher to them. I just told my husband today that we ought to start having a regular family home evening with our little son and begin teaching him our of the nursery manual. I am so excited for the opportunity and blessing it is to be a mother and I hope that my children will learn to love God and to love others. I want them to really feel God as a part of their lives and to want to do their part to return to live with Him again. I want to be together as a family forever.

June 13, 2010

Today I read Elder Robert D. Hales' talk, Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the the Rising Generation. I really liked this talk and it makes me really happy to read it and feel like I really am fulfilling my duty to God. I am passionate about parenting in the Lord's way and I felt reminded of the most important things I should be doing and reassured that I'm on the right track.

Elder Hales says, "Our duty to God... begins with... consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home." And another important part of our duty is "teaching our children the gospel and preparing them to participate fully in the Savior's restored church." He asks, "Do our children know what we know?" I hope that my children will know. They certainly will know of what I know by reading my journals, but I wish for them to not only know of what I know, but to know as I know. I want to share my faith with each one of them.

Elder Hales also talks of the importance of really understanding our children's hearts, of really being there with them. It means we are listening with spiritual ears, that we let them talk and ask questions and listen more! It means we're doing things with them, connecting through shared experiences together. He says we must act on the opportunities we have to "look into their eyes and tell them we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them" and "help them understand... who they are, and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever."

I have a very strong testimony of and feelings about these things and hope my children will feel similar feelings. I loved Elder Hales' reminders that the greatest missionary work, family history work and the greatest rescue, activation that we will do will be within the walls of our own homes. I love my calling as a mother and I have no doubt that what goes on inside our home and family is the greatest work I could ever do.

My favorite part of this talk was a quote of a scripture in D&C 123:15, 17 that says, "There is much which lieth in futurity. Therefore, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then we may stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."