TEACHINGS for Mothers: April 2012 General Conference
Teachings for Mothers: April 2012 General Conference
Call to Action from the Prophet
“My dear brothers and sisters, may your homes
be filled with love and courtesy and with the Spirit of the Lord. Love
your families. If there are disagreements or contentions among you, I
urge you to settle them now” (Thomas S. Monson, “As We Close This Conference,” April 2012 general conference).
Families under Covenant
“President Ezra Taft Benson taught:
“ 'In an eternal sense, salvation is a family affair. …
“ 'Above all else, children need to know and feel they are loved,
wanted, and appreciated. They need to be assured of that often.
Obviously, this is a role parents should fill, and most often the mother
can do it best.'
“But another crucial source for that feeling of being loved is love
from other children in the family. Consistent care of brothers and
sisters for each other will come only with persistent effort by parents
and the help of God. You know that is true from experience in your own
families. … Give children opportunities to pray, when they can pray, for
each other in the circle who need blessings. Discern quickly the
beginnings of discord and recognize acts of unselfish service,
especially to each other. When they pray for each other and serve each
other, hearts will be softened and turned to each other and to their
parents” (Henry B. Eyring, “Families under Covenant,” April 2012 general conference).
Happiness
“One hundred years ago, President Joseph F.
Smith connected happiness directly to the family and admonished us to
focus our efforts there. He said: 'There can be no genuine happiness
separate and apart from the home. … There is no happiness without
service, and there is no service greater than that which converts the
home into a divine institution, and which promotes and preserves family
life. … The home is what needs reforming' ” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 382, 384). …
“When people make family and religious commitments to gospel
principles, they begin to do better spiritually and often temporally as
well.
“And, of course, societies at large are strengthened as families grow stronger. Commitments to family and values are the basic cause. Nearly everything else is effect. …
“Put everything you do outside the home in subjection to and in support
of what happens inside your home. Remember President Harold B. Lee’s
counsel that 'the most important … work you will ever do will be within
the walls of your own homes' (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee
[2000], 134) and President David O. McKay’s timeless 'No other success
can compensate for failure in the home' (quoted from J. E. McCulloch, Home: The Savior of Civilization [1924], 42; in Conference Report, Apr. 1935, 116).
“Organize your personal lives to provide time for prayer and scriptures
and family activity. Give your children responsibilities in the home
that will teach them how to work. Teach them that living the gospel will
lead them away from the filth, promiscuity, and violence of the
Internet, media, and video games” (M. Russell Ballard, “That the Lost May Be Found,” April 2012 general conference).
The Role of the Church and Family Life
“Husbands and wives, you should be equal partners in your marriage. Read often and understand the proclamation on the family and follow it. … Use the family resources
of the Church. In raising children, families can draw upon the help of
the ward. Support and work in tandem with priesthood and auxiliary
leaders, and take full advantage of the Church’s youth and family
programs. Remember another of President Lee’s insightful phrases—that
the Church is the scaffolding with which we build eternal families (see Teachings: Harold B. Lee, 148)” (M. Russell Ballard, “That the Lost May Be Found,” April 2012 general conference).
Making Sacrifices
“A faithful Latter-day Saint father on a
remote island in the Pacific did heavy physical work in a faraway place
for six years to earn the money necessary to take his wife and 10
children for marriage and sealing for eternity in the New Zealand
Temple. President Monson explained, 'Those who understand the eternal
blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too
great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive
those blessings.' …
“Perhaps the most familiar and most
important examples of unselfish service and sacrifice are performed in
our families. Mothers devote themselves to the bearing and nurturing of
their children. Husbands give themselves to supporting their wives and
children. The sacrifices involved in the eternally important service to
our families are too numerous to mention and too familiar to need
mention. …
“The Lectures on Faith teach that 'a
religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has
power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.
… It [is] through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained
that men should enjoy eternal life' ” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrifice,” April 2012 general conference).
Examples of Parents
“Religious observance in the home blesses our families. Example is particularly important. What we are
speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say. When I was
nearly five years old, my mother received word that her younger brother
had been killed when the battleship on which he was serving was bombed
off the coast of Japan near the end of World War II. This news was
devastating to her. She was very emotional and went into the bedroom.
After a while I peeked into the room to see if she was OK. She was
kneeling by the bed in prayer. A great peace came over me because she
had taught me to pray and love the Savior. This was typical of the
example she always set for me. Mothers and fathers praying with children
may be more important than any other example.
“The message, ministry, and Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, are
our essential family curriculum. No scripture characterizes our faith
better than 2 Nephi 25:26:
'And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we
prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our
children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their
sins' ” (Quentin L. Cook, “In Tune with the Music of Faith,” April 2012 general conference).
Scripture Reading
“I hope we are reading the Book of Mormon
with our children regularly. I have discussed this with my own children.
They have shared with me two observations. First, persistence in
reading the scriptures daily as a family is the key. … It requires great
effort from every family member every day, but it is worth the effort.
Temporary setbacks are overshadowed by persistence.
“We know that family scripture study and family home evenings are not
always perfect. Regardless of the challenges you face, do not become
discouraged” (Quentin L. Cook, “In Tune with the Music of Faith,” April 2012 general conference).
Bearing Your Burdens
“President James E. Faust, my boyhood stake
president, said: 'I have a great appreciation for those loving parents
who stoically bear and overcome their anguish and heartbreak for a child
who was born with or who has developed a serious mental or physical
infirmity. This anguish often continues every day, without relief,
during the lifetime of the parent or the child. Not infrequently,
parents are required to give superhuman nurturing care that never
ceases, day or night. Many a mother’s arms and heart have ached years on
end, giving comfort and relieving the suffering of her special child.'
“As described in Mosiah, … 'And now it came to pass that the burdens
which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the
Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with
ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will
of the Lord' ” (Ronald A. Rasband, “Special Lessons,” April 2012 general conference).
Teaching Our Children to Understand the Doctrine
“This divine privilege of raising our
children is a much greater responsibility than we can do alone, without
the Lord’s help. He knows exactly what our children need to know, what
they need to do, and what they need to be to come back into His
presence. He gives mothers and fathers specific instruction and guidance
through the scriptures, His prophets, and the Holy Ghost.
“In a latter-day revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord instructs parents to teach their children to understand
the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ, baptism, and the gift of
the Holy Ghost. Notice the Lord doesn’t just say we are to 'teach the
doctrine'; His instructions are to teach our children to 'understand the doctrine.' (See D&C 68:25, 28; emphasis added.)
“Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting
information. It’s helping our children get the doctrine into their
hearts in a way that it becomes part of their very being and is
reflected in their attitudes and behavior throughout their lives. …
“Sometimes
the most powerful way to teach our children to understand a doctrine is
to teach in the context of what they are experiencing right at that
moment. These moments are spontaneous and unplanned and happen in the
normal flow of family life. They come and go quickly, so we need to be
alert and recognize a teaching moment when our children come to us with a
question or worry, when they have problems getting along with siblings
or friends, when they need to control their anger, when they make a
mistake, or when they need to make a decision. (See Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching [1999], 140–41; Marriage and Family Relations Instructor’s Manual [2000], 61.) …
“Learning to fully understand the doctrines of the gospel is a process
of a lifetime and comes 'line upon line, precept upon precept, here a
little and there a little' (2 Nephi 28:30).
As children learn and act upon what they learn, their understanding is
expanded, which leads to more learning, more action, and an even greater
and more enduring understanding.
“We can know our children are
beginning to understand the doctrine when we see it revealed in their
attitudes and actions without external threats or rewards. As our
children learn to understand gospel doctrines, they become more
self-reliant and more responsible. They become part of the solution to
our family challenges and make a positive contribution to the
environment of our home and the success of our family” (Cheryl A.
Esplin, “Teaching Our Children to Understand,” April 2012 general conference).
Moral Agency
“Wise parents must weigh when children are
ready to begin exercising their own agency in a particular area of their
lives. But if parents hold on to all decision-making power and see it as their 'right,' they severely limit the growth and development of their children.
Our
children are in our homes for a limited time. If we wait until they
walk out the door to turn over to them the reins of their moral agency,
we have waited too long. They will not suddenly develop the ability to
make wise decisions if they have never been free to make any important
decisions while in our homes. Such children often either rebel against
this compulsion or are crippled by an inability to make any decisions on
their own.
“Wise parents prepare their children to get along
without them. They provide opportunities for growth as children acquire
the spiritual maturity to exercise their agency properly. And yes, this
means children will sometimes make mistakes and learn from them. …
“In
raising our family, we decided that our most important goal would be to
help our children establish their own connection to heaven. We knew
that ultimately they would need to depend on the Lord, not on us.
Brigham Young said, 'Were I to draw a distinction in all the duties that
are required of the children of men, … I would place first and foremost
the duty of seeking unto the Lord our God until we open the path of
communication from heaven to earth—from God to our own souls' ”
(Larry Y. Wilson, “Only upon the Principles of Righteousness,” April 2012 general conference).
A Message to Single Parents
“My message is for the single parents in the
Church, the majority of whom are single mothers—you valiant women who,
through the varying circumstances of life, find yourselves raising
children and running a home on your own. …
“We hope that when you attend meetings and see seemingly complete and
happy families or hear someone speak of family ideals, you will feel
glad to be part of a church that does focus on families and teaches of
their central role in Heavenly Father’s plan for the happiness of His
children; that in the midst of world calamity and moral decay, we have
the doctrine, authority, ordinances, and covenants that do hold out the
best hope for the world, including for the future happiness of your
children and the families they will create. …
“Although you often feel alone, in truth you are never totally
on your own. As you move forward in patience and in faith, Providence
will move with you; heaven will bestow its needful blessings.
“Your perspective and view of life will change when, rather than being cast down, you look up.
“Many of you have already discovered the great, transforming truth that
when you live to lift the burdens of others, your own burdens become
lighter. Although circumstances may not have changed, your attitude has.
You are able to face your own trials with greater acceptance, a more
understanding heart, and deeper gratitude for what you have, rather than
pining for what you yet lack” (David S. Baxter, “Faith, Fortitude, Fulfillment: A Message to Single Parents,” April 2012 general conference).
Power of Love
“The Father’s plan designated the pattern of
the family to help us learn, apply, and understand the power of love. On
the day my own family was organized, my sweet Ann and I went to the
temple and entered into the covenant of marriage. How much I thought I
loved her on that day, but I had only begun to see the vision of love.
As each of our children and grandchildren entered into our lives, our
love has been expanded to love each of them equally and fully. There is
seemingly no end to the expansive capacity to love” (Paul E. Koelliker, “He Truly Loves Us,” April 2012 general conference).
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