Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation

My summary of this talk: Children need parents who talk with them a lot and listen even more.

• "For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence. "
• ". . .we lead them by understanding their hearts and walking alongside them on the gospel path."
• "We must plan and take advantage of teaching moments that make a deep and lasting impression upon their minds and hearts."
• ". . .do you use the time to talk with them about their hopes and dreams and fears and joys?"
• ". . .the greatest influence [comes from] the regular, warm, friendly, caring interaction with parents."
• ". . .where family meals are concerned, it’s not the food but the family interaction that nourishes the soul."
• "Most important is asking them questions, letting them talk, and then being willing to listen—yes, listen and listen some more—even hearken with spiritual ears!"
• "The greatest family history work that we will do will be within our own homes. It is the spiritual preparation of our children in the rising generation that will, through their obedience, ensure the eternal preservation and perpetuation of our families for the coming generations."

I like this final quote. My grandmother once told me that after losing her young husband in a hunting accident she felt like going to church with her four kids was too hard. She wondedered if it really mattered. She's remained active her whole life. Looking back she can see that her decision has blessed her entire posterity. Oh how grateful I am for her righteous choices.

Up next: "Mothers Teaching Children in the Home" by Elder L. Tom Perry