What Matters Most

As parents, we have the responsibility to raise responsible children. “A home with a loving and loyal husband and wife is the supreme setting in which children can be reared in love and righteousness and in which the spiritual and physical needs of children can be met" (Bednar). The Family: A Proclamation to the World states that it is our duty to "be law-abiding citizens wherever [we] live" and "to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society".

As we teach our children to live righteously and live the commandments, we fulfill our duties as parents. We will be accountable for our parenting, and I hope that we don't become caught up in being perfect and miss out on what matters most.

"I speak to fathers and mothers everywhere with a plea to put harshness behind us, to bridle our anger, to lower our voices, and to deal with mercy and love respect one toward anther in our homes" (Hawkins et al).

We can't teach our children to be law-abiding and responsible citizens if we don't show them how such citizens act. Telling a child to avoid drinking and doing drugs only goes so far, and if we have a cigarette or a glass of wine every once in  a while, they will become confused by the contradition between our actions and our words. Too often we follow the "do as I say, not as I do" idea in our parenting methods. 

Ezra Taft Benson said, "Children must be taught right from wrong. They can and must learn the commandments of God. They must be taught that it is wrong to steal, lie, cheat, or covet what others have. Children must be taught to work at home. They should learn there that honest labor develops dignity and self-respect. They should learn the pleasure of work, of doing a job well.”

Only by teaching our children what matters most can we fully appreciate what matters most in life. How great will be our joy as we watch our children grow and develop into the person we are raising them to become. 


Sources:

Bednar, D., (June 2006), Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan, Retrieved October 30, 2015 from https://www.lds.org/ensign/2006/06/marriage-is-essential-to-his-eternal-plan?lang=eng

Benson, E. (1992, July 1). Salvation-A Family Affair. Retrieved November 2, 2015, from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/07/salvation-a-family-affair?lang=eng

Hawkins, A., Dollahite, D., & Draper, T. (2012). Parenting in Gospel Context: Practices Do Make a Difference. In Successful Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives. Provo, Utah: BYU Studies and School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World. (1995, September 23). Retrieved October 29, 2015, from https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation