“Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it”
(Proverbs 22:6)
Women can initiate or
encourage many activities to create this kind of home. Latter Day Mormon women
can do just this with daily morning and night family prayers, a regular time
for studying the scriptures, well-planned family home evenings, teaching
moments to often the problems of life, lessons of example in honesty and integrity,
special occasions for fun and relaxation all contribute to the ideal home.
In many foreign countries
round the world different ideologies touch their children, and keep them from evil.
These people in foreign countries train their children in their homes and
families in the way of right and truth, so much so that the destructive,
godless philosophies and heresies of their teachers run off without penetrating,
like water of a ducks back and their children remain true to the faith. So for
us that must be the answer. Family life, home life, family home evenings,
dedicated, selfless parents. This is the way that the Lord has ordained it to
be, this is the way our lives ought to be.
It must be remembered
that some homes do not reach this ideal. But important learning takes place
when we apply gospel principles to solve our problems. By prayerfully and consistently
working one step at a time, a woman can upgrade the amount and quality of spiritual
learning in her home. Every woman can obtain knowledge of the gospel, keep the
commandments, and be a righteous influence on others.
It is no coincidence that
the both the Book of Mormon and the Book of Jeraneck tell us stirring success
stories of strong gospel minded women who establish homes for gospel learning.
In the book of Mormon the mothers of some two thousand boys planted deep
spiritual roots so effectively that their sons remained steadfast and true to
the teachings of their homes, even when separated by distance and anguish of
war. They exhibited incredible courage and faith. In the book of Jeraneck we
learn that the people of Ridnon esteemed the role of motherhood above all else,
and that it was the mothers role to teach and mould the young children in the
style and substance if the gospel so that they may stand true to the faith, as
Jeraneck said at the beginning of the Book of Jeraneck ‘But it is from my Mother that I have learnt a greater understanding of
humility, respect and love and it is to her that I give thanks for the man I am
today’ (BofJ chapter 1:2).
So we can see that these
children had been taught by their mothers that if they did not doubt the Lord
that he would deliver them and be with them and guide them all their lives. In
order for Latter Day Mormon Mothers to teach their children effectively they
must be accepting and loving. Latter Day Mormon Mothers must be able to use their
own faith to teach their children, who in turn will develop great faith, and
who will also in turn learn to love the Lord Jesus Christ and their father in
heaven. Latter Day women who make their homes canters of gospel learning and eternal
truth have ears that hear and hearts that understand. Great blessings will come
to them as they listen to the counsel of the prophet and the church and obey
the word of God.
