Raising Children

I do not have personal experience in raising children yet, but will soon enough. What I do know is that children are very important to the Lord. We are commandment to become as little children in order to enter the kingdom of God. Therefore I am certain that we must raise our children in a way pleasing to the Lord. In the proclamation to the family we learn that parents have responsibility to raise their children in love and righteousness. I am very grateful for my parents who were great examples of parents. They taught me through example; they each lived the gospel and never faltered. I know that as I live the gospel my children will want to follow more closely to the principles of the gospel.

1. “The father has the authority and responsibility to teach his children and to bless and to provide for them the ordinances of the gospel and every other priesthood protection necessary. He is to demonstrate love and fidelity and honor to the mother so that their children can see that love.”— President Packer (General Conference, April 2013, Saturday Morning)

2. “May our families be the traditional type, where the leadership is provided by two worthy parents who welcome children into their home to be loved, taught, and trained in the ways prescribed by the Lord.”—Elder Perry (General Conference, October 1980, Saturday Morning)

3. “Some homes have a father who is a worthy priesthood holder joined by a faithful, devoted mother who together lead in righteousness. Many homes have a different configuration. Regardless of your circumstances, you can center your home and your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the source of true peace in this life.” --Elder Scott (General Conference, April 2013)

4. “Keep the fire of your testimony of the restored gospel and your witness of our redeemer burning so brightly that our children can warm their hands by the fire of your faith.”—Elder Packer

5. “Brothers and sisters, our children take their flight into the future with our thrust and with our aim. And even as we anxiously watch that arrow in flight and know all the evils that can deflect it’s course after it has left our hand, nevertheless we take courage in remembering that the most important mortal factor in determining that arrow’s destination will be the stability, strength, and unwavering certainty of the holder of the bow.”—Elder Holland

6. “Parents can also help children discover and develop their talents. We are responsible for the talents we have received. Children who are not taught that they are accountable for their time and talents are increasingly subject to the foolishness and unrighteousness that are so pervasive in the world.”—Elder Cook Ensign, November 2009

7. “Regarding our home evenings, an evening home with the family or an evening out to some place of interest with your family only partly solves the need of the home evening. Basically important is the teaching of the children the way of life that is vitally important.”—President Spencer W. Kimball

8. “No home is a failure until it gives up on that son, or that daughter, or that husband, or that wife. It must not give up, no matter how difficult the task to save one of ours.”—President Harold B. Lee

9. "Another important way we help our children learn to be provident providers is by establishing a family budget. We should regularly review our family income, savings, and spending plan in family council meetings. This will teach our children to recognize the difference between wants and needs and to plan ahead for meaningful use of family resources.”—Elder Hales Ensign, May 2009

10. "If we will build righteous traditions in our families, the light of the gospel can grow ever brighter in the lives of our children from generation to generation. We can look forward to that glorious day when we will all be united together as eternal family units to reap the everlasting joy promised by our Eternal Father for His righteous children."—Elder L. Tom Perry, "Family Traditions," Ensign, May 1990