Sunday, May 25, 2014

favorite articles on teaching children

Our Parental Duty to God and to the Rising Generation

SUMMARY
Elder Robert D. Hales, "Our Parental Duty to God and to the Rising Generation,"Ensign, Aug 2010, 30–34
The Lord has given us the charge to "bring up [our] children in light and truth." May we respond to this charge with faith and determination to fulfill our duty to the 

rising generation.
One of a parent's most important responsibilities is to teach. As declared in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World," "parents have a sacred duty … to teach [their children—sons and daughters] to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live."1

Set in Order Your Own House
The purpose of the Lord's work is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Parents can help accomplish this great work by teaching their children "the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands" (D&C 68:25).
In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord rebuked Frederick G. Williams (1787–1842), a member of the First Presidency, for not teaching his children as he should:
"You have not taught your children light and truth, according to the commandments; and that wicked one hath power, as yet, over you, and this is the cause of your affliction.
"And now a commandment I give unto you—if you will be delivered you shall set in order your own house, for there are many things that are not right in your house" (D&C 93:42–43).
Do we have the courage to teach light and truth in our homes? Or are we experiencing affliction within our families because we are neglecting these duties? As we ponder and pray, we will be given spiritual strength and guidance to help us set our homes in order.
A House of Learning
The scriptures direct us to "establish … a house of learning" (D&C 88:119). Let me suggest several ways we as parents can fulfill this duty to God and to our children...
Focus the minds and hearts of children on the Savior. Faith and testimony must be centered in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. We should express to our children our own feelings about the Savior and share scriptures or experiences that have strengthened our testimony of Him. We should help them understand the significance of the Atonement and how it can be a daily blessing in their lives.
Lead and teach by example
Establish righteous patterns in the home
Encourage meaningful personal prayer and scripture study.
Use tools the Church provides to parents.


THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010


articles on teaching the rising generation


http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-35,00.html

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
Elder Neil L. Andersen
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
A stronger personal faith in Jesus Christ will prepare [your children] for the challenges they will most surely face.
Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today's world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility. While other institutions, such as church and school, can assist parents to "train up a child in the way he [or she] should go" (Proverbs 22:6), ultimately this responsibility rests with parents. According to the great plan of happiness, it is parents who are entrusted with the care and development of our Heavenly Father's children. Our families are an integral part of His work and glory—"to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). On God's eternal stage, it is usually intended that parents act as the central cast members in their children's lives. Fortunately, there are understudies involved in the production who may step in when parents can't. It, however, is parents who have been commanded by the Lord to bring up their children in light and truth (see D&C 93:40).
The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life. Qualifying for the Lord's Spirit begins with a desire for that Spirit and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism lead to the blessing of always having the Lord's Spirit with us.2Making and keeping temple covenants also adds spiritual strength and power to a woman's life. Many answers to difficult questions are found by reading the scriptures because the scriptures are an aid to revelation.3 Insight found in scripture accumulates over time, so it is important to spend some time in the scriptures every day. Daily prayer is also essential to having the Lord's Spirit with us.4
Those who earnestly seek help through prayer and scripture study often have a paper and pencil nearby to write questions and record impressions and ideas. ...When women nurture as Christ nurtured, a power and peace can descend to guide when help is needed. For instance, mothers can feel help from the Spirit even when tired, noisy children are clamoring for attention, but they can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children. Being in the right places allows us to receive guidance. It requires a conscious effort to diminish distractions, but having the Spirit of revelation makes itpossible to prevail over opposition and persist in faith through difficult days and essential routine tasks. Personal revelation gives us the understanding of what to do every day to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek those who need our help. Because personal revelation is a constantly renewable source of strength, it is possible to feel bathed in help even during turbulent times.
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http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-7,00.html 

"Help Them on Their Way Home"
President Henry B. Eyring
First Counselor in the First Presidency
We help God's children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young.
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http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-30,00.html 
Robert D. Hales, "Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders tothe Rising Generation,"
Liahona, May 2010, 95–98
It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way.
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http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=a81f56627ab94210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Brent H. Nielson, "A Call to the Rising Generation,"
Ensign, Nov 2009, 95–97
There is no greater call than teaching "all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
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http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-31,00.html

Mother Told Me
Elder Bradley D. Foster
Of the Seventy
Perhaps the reason we respond so universally to our mothers' love is because it typifies the love of our Savior.
The Lord has placed upon parents the primary responsibility for the spiritual nurturing of their children.
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http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-1207-34,00.html

Things Pertaining to Righteousness
Elder Francisco J. ViƱas
Of the Seventy
As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families, helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to a spiritual death.
We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants that after the testimony of the servants of God, the testimony of earthquakes and the testimony of other events will follow. "And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people" (D&C 88:91; see also verses 88–90).