Brothers and Sisters, Friends… there are general conference talks that seem to ‘shout… pay attention’. One such of many, from a couple of months ago, has the potential to be ‘high impact’ to young parents and their children. For me, so many talks are like that, depending upon where I am personally for their impact in my life. The talk I write of today could have been so useful to Becky and me as we started our family 44 years ago (converts and single less than 5 years before). The talk by Elder Devin G. Durrant, First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, was titled Teaching in the Home—A Joyful and Sacred Responsibility and is found on page 42 of the April 2018 Ensign. As with any conference talks, I should never feel defeated at what I am not now doing, but be patient with my mortal-ness and make changes as the Spirit moves upon me. Frustration will create defeat when I try to run faster than I am capable. see Mosiah 4:27 k
Elder Durrant said; “Today I direct my remarks to all parents and all who desire to be parents. Many of you are raising children now. For others, that time might come soon. And for still others, parenthood may be a future blessing. I pray we all recognize the joyful and sacred responsibility it is to teach a child.1, 1.a
Elder Durrant says, “As parents, we introduce our children to Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We help our children say their first prayer. We offer guidance and support as they enter the covenant path through baptism. We teach them to obey God’s commandments. We educate them about His plan for His children, and we help them recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. We tell them stories of ancient prophets and encourage them to follow living ones. We pray for their triumphs and ache with them during their trials. We testify to our children of temple blessings, and we strive to prepare them well to serve full-time missions. We offer loving counsel as our children become parents themselves. But—even then—we never stop being their parents. We never stop being their teachers. We are never released from these eternal callings.”
….Family Prayer Teaching
Family prayer is another prime opportunity to teach. I love how President N. Eldon Tanner’s father taught him during family prayer. President Tanner said this: “I remember one evening when we were kneeling in family prayer, my father said to the Lord, ‘Eldon did something today he shouldn’t have done; he’s sorry, and if you will forgive him, he won’t do it anymore.’That made me determined not to do it anymore—much more than a trouncing would have done.”7
As a boy, I would sometimes get irritated with our seemingly excessive family prayers, thinking to myself, “Didn’t we just pray a few minutes ago?” Now, as a parent, I know we can’t ever pray too much as a family.8 I’ve always been impressed with how Heavenly Father introduces Jesus Christ as His Beloved Son.9I enjoy praying for my children by name as they listen to me express to Heavenly Father how beloved they are to me. It seems there is no better time to communicate love to our children than when praying with them or blessing them. When families gather in humble prayer, powerful and lasting lessons are taught.
On-Call Teaching
Parental teaching is like being an on-call physician. We always need to be ready to teach our children because we never know when the opportunity will present itself…. As a father, I am motivated to personally study and ponder the scriptures in order to be able to respond when my children or grandchildren present an on-call teaching opportunity.11 “Some of the best teaching moments start as a question or concern in the heart of a [family] member.”12Are we listening during those moments?13 I love the Apostle Peter’s invitation: “Be ready always to give an answer to every man [and I add, child] that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.”14
When I was a teenager, my dad and I enjoyed challenging each other to see who had the strongest grip. We would squeeze the other’s hand as tightly as possible in an effort to make the other grimace in pain. It doesn’t seem like much fun now, but somehow it was at the time. After one such battle, Dad looked me in the eyes and said, “You have strong hands, Son. I hope your hands always have the strength to never touch a young lady inappropriately.” He then invited me to stay morally clean and help others do the same.
Elder Douglas L. Callister shared this about his father: “While traveling home from work one day Father spontaneously said, ‘I paid my tithing today. I wrote “thank you” on the tithing check. I am so grateful to the Lord for blessing our family.’” Elder Callister then paid this tribute to his father-teacher: “He taught both acts and attitudes of obedience.”15 I think it wise to ask ourselves occasionally, “What will I teach, or what am I teaching, my children by my acts and attitudes of obedience?”
….Example Teaching
Lastly, our most impactful parental teaching is our example. We are counseled to be “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”19 During a recent trip, Julie and I attended church and saw this verse in action. A young man, soon to leave for his mission, spoke in sacrament meeting.
He said, “You all think my dad is such a good man at church, but …” He paused, and I anxiously wondered what he might say next. He continued and said, “He’s a better man at home.” I thanked this young man afterward for the inspiring tribute he had paid his father. I then found out that his father was the bishop of the ward. Even though this bishop was serving his ward faithfully, his son felt that his best work was done at home.
….Elder D. Todd Christofferson counsels: “We have many avenues for teaching the … rising generation, and we should devote our best thinking and effort to taking full advantage of them. Above all, we must continue to encourage and help parents be better and more consistent teachers … especially by example.” 21
~ Again, this is a condensed look at great counsel. To do it justice please, please read / listen to the complete talk at… ‘Teaching in the Home—A Joyful and Sacred Responsibility’
21. D. Todd Christofferson, “Strengthening the Faith and Long-Term Conversion of the Rising Generation,” general conference leadership meeting, Sept. 2017.`
