Parenting in the Gospel

Raising a good, well respected, hardworking and responsible child is a hard thing to do in the world we live in. We are all so distracted with worldly things and activities that seem so important. Whenever I get overwhelmed with it all, I have to put things back in perspective and think about what this season of my life is really about. I am in the middle of raising teenagers, preteens and a 6 year old. Sometimes my head feels a little bit like exploding. I am so busy trying to survive that I forget to break it down to the basics of what really matter and that are important. Which are my husband and I are raising a strong, tight knit family that is strong in the gospel and know and love our Heavenly Father and Savior. How do we do this... parent with gospel principles. Well, in the Proclamation Heavenly Father doesn't sugar coat what he expects out of us as parents, He expects us to teach and guide his children and if we don't... we will be held accountable. When I was thinking about this post and reading and gathering ideas, I came across this talk HERE. 

Elder Bradley D. Foster starts his talk by saying " It is never too early and it's never too late to lead, guide, and walk beside our children, because families are forever. He talks about how we are engaged in a battle with the world because the world is trying to define who and how are children believe and we need to win the battle and teach our children about the gospel and they are children of God.

Another talk that I really enjoyed was HERE.. by Elder David Bednar called "More Diligent and Concerned at Home." He talks about the way to ensure you can have the Holy Ghost in your home and to be teaching your children gospel principles.

 First-Express Love and Show it to our children and spouses. He says " We need to say it, we need to mean it and most importantly show it.
I think that this is an easy thing to do when your children are small. They are so cute and lovable and constantly climbing all over you or in your lap. You don't have to think about it, it's natural to squeeze and hug them and tell them how much you love them! It is a lot harder when they are teenagers who you have to drag out of their rooms and away from their electronic devices and constantly talk to you in a tone that screams "You are so dumb MOM! And I know EVERYTHING!" It is harder to walk over and hug and tell them that you love them. This is something I am making a big effort with my oldest son and daughter. They are honestly hard to love right now... I do OF COURSE but it is hard. I try and go physically HUG them everyday before school and tell them that I love them! They don't always act pleased that I do this but hopefully they are inside. I am also trying to show my love to them and other members of our family by being a good example of how to show that love... by helping them with dishes, or taking their pile of laundry upstairs for them or remembering them in our family prayers when they have a test or aren't feeling well...hoping showing them that they are not forgotten and loved.

Second-Bear testimony and live it. "He says that such a testimony fortifies faith and provides direction." Our Children have to know and hear our testimonies of the gospel. This I know. They need to see that strength and commitment in our lives. It will give them faith in the gospel and lend them our light until they have their own testimony of their own. I don't know what I would have done growing up if my parent's were not strong in the gospel. I think that would have my ticket for all sorts of rebellion but I knew what they believed and I knew what was right and wrong! I also knew what was expected and how disappointed they would be if I didn't follow that direction. I am so grateful for that especially as an adult now and can see all the hidden danger I bypassed as a teenager because of keeping the commandments and being close with my family in the gospel. I want that for my children and I try every day to show them what is right and how much I love the gospel and how true it is.

Third- Be Consistent in FHE, scripture study and prayers.. this is building the foundation of the gospel in your children's lives. The more consistent we are the stronger their's will be. This is a hard one for me. I do pretty well and then start slacking off. I liked how Elder Bednar talks about no matter how chaotic it seems or pointless at times, we are still making a mark and building up that foundation for our children to take with them when they leave our homes. This was a good reminder for me.
The world tried to tell us we don't have any control on our children and we should let them be their selves and they will grow up how they will grow up but that is not true. Heavenly Father has given us the chance to lead and guide our children. No matter how hard it seems, we can have an effect and an impact on who these tiny people turn out to be and have the responsibility to get them back home to their loving Heavenly Father.