We are in a ‘winding down’ phase here. Becky and I are so grateful to our children for the service they and their children have brought over the last week and a half. Upon taking ownership of the duplex we’ve lived in, we moved to the other side and very intense projects were well executed. Some have worked tirelessly, and been pretty well exhausted by days end over and over (as with Becky and me).
Though we struggled with our children at times in their teenage years, we are fortunate to have all three and their families active in their pursuit for excellence as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ in scripture… the Bible and the Book of Mormon and by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Principles that have helped over the years and are now helping in their families were explained as I answered questions on my profile page of Mormon.org. (see ‘Hi, I’m Kent’ https://www.mormon.org/me/9XQS/Kent) The following is one of those answered questions:
What have you done successfully to shield your family from unwanted influences?
It takes a community to raise a child. A strong church community is best providing inner peace and conviction in a troubled world. (If you are not now in one, consider calling 1-888-537-6600). The following is a ‘step up’ needed for the increasing challenges against today’s youth. What we did is included.
Increased awareness, love and patience are key. Our own lives need order away from unwanted influences to provide clear, humble, and loving examples. Control self. Find non-threatening ways to take a child’s emotional and spiritual temperature. Never give up! Pray hard and often and become specific in pleadings to Heavenly Father. When specific, he can give us specific counsel. Talk with family members in a way they don’t perceive it as counseling or demanding. Teach them to love the Lord from an early age and use ‘time tested’ principles (not ‘current fads’) in child rearing. Give children instruction for hard topics and situations they may face. Role play, control media they are exposed to. Don’t let the world raise them – that equates to them embracing worldly standards.
The Book of Mormon; the faith that has grown from it has the ‘power to make bad men good and good men better’. Daily personal study; teaching from all scripture including from current LDS leaders become a firm path to shield loved ones from unwanted influences. Elder Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: ‘True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior’ and ‘The study of doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior’. Such suggestions / understanding lead to self discipline in favor of the Lord and against unwanted influences.
When they’re at home we need not always be ‘a friend’ to our children. More important we must control what influences them. As adults raised in this way, they become wonderful friends. kdm
