"Are we consciously creating righteous traditions [in our homes], or is life just happening to us?"
Righteous Traditions by Cheryl C. Lant
- This talk is awesome! It doesn't give parenting advice for any specific occurrences but it does give general parenting guidelines, that if followed will help children have a strong foundation in Christ in our world today.
"The most important traditions are connected with the way we live our lives and will last beyond us as our children’s lives are influenced and shaped."
"What kinds of traditions do we have?... Are they what we want them to be? Are they based on actions of righteousness and faith?... Are we consciously creating righteous traditions, or is life just happening to us? Are our traditions... influenced by the still, small voice of the Spirit? Are the traditions that we are creating in our families going to make it easier for our children to follow the living prophets...?"
...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
31 Days to Better Parenting: Day 13
I remember this talk well from a year ago, probably because I liked the stories so much!
Mother Told Me by Bradley D. Foster
This first little story is so cute, about a Dad reading a picture book to his son. If you haven't heard it, I won't try to summarize, just watch the first few minutes. I love it!
"As President James E. Faust said: 'There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.' "
"By divine design, nurturing seems to be part of the spiritual heritage given to women."
...
Mother Told Me by Bradley D. Foster
This first little story is so cute, about a Dad reading a picture book to his son. If you haven't heard it, I won't try to summarize, just watch the first few minutes. I love it!
"As President James E. Faust said: 'There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation.' "
"By divine design, nurturing seems to be part of the spiritual heritage given to women."
...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
31 Days to Better Parenting: Day 12
Well, the blogger website was down on Day 12 and it was so much easier to miss the other days, after this day was missed... so now I'm playing catch up!
This is probably the best quote I've read so far on parenting, to help keep things in perspective and keep me motivated!
"We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge as parents and teachers is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith."
AWESOME!!!
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus by Neil L. Anderson
"In our world today, each child, each young man and young woman needs his or her own conversion to the truth. Each needs his or her own light, his or her own “steadfast and immovable” 7 faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, independent of parents, youth leaders, and supportive friends." ...
This is probably the best quote I've read so far on parenting, to help keep things in perspective and keep me motivated!
"We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge as parents and teachers is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of their premortal faith."
AWESOME!!!
Tell Me the Stories of Jesus by Neil L. Anderson
"In our world today, each child, each young man and young woman needs his or her own conversion to the truth. Each needs his or her own light, his or her own “steadfast and immovable” 7 faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, independent of parents, youth leaders, and supportive friends." ...
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
31 Days to Better Parenting: Day 11
Robbie and I both need to get more sleep. Sleep deprivation has a large effect on the extent of my patience during the day. So, today will just be a quick entry.
Establishing a Christ-Centered Home by Richard J. Maynes
From The Family: A Proclamation to the World
"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." ...
Establishing a Christ-Centered Home by Richard J. Maynes
From The Family: A Proclamation to the World
"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." ...
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
31 Days to Better Parenting: Day 10
In church on Sunday, there were 2 mother/daughter couples singing a song for Mother's Day and I couldn't hold my emotion in at all! Such a sweet song and I want a daughter!
This talk applies to all relationships, but is specifically addressed to...
"There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman."
- I think I've figured out how to better put into words how I feel as I read these General Conference talks. The reason I love these talks so much is because they make me feel good about what I'm doing as a person and mother, and then gently and subtly motivate me to keep moving forward and upward, to help me become what the Lord has intended for me...
This talk applies to all relationships, but is specifically addressed to...
Mothers and Daughters by M. Russell Ballard
"There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman."
- I think I've figured out how to better put into words how I feel as I read these General Conference talks. The reason I love these talks so much is because they make me feel good about what I'm doing as a person and mother, and then gently and subtly motivate me to keep moving forward and upward, to help me become what the Lord has intended for me...
Monday, May 9, 2011
31 Days to Better Parenting: Day 9
I receive such strength and motivation from reading these parenting talks, but usually I'm reading them right before bed. Not the best timing since the boys are already in bed and I really need the strength and motivation to be a more patient mother when they are awake. What a revelation right? :)
"And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit" by Julie B. Beck
"There has grown in me an overwhelming testimony of the value of daughters of God. So much depends on them. In my visits with the sisters, I have felt that there has never been a greater need for increased faith and personal righteousness. There has never been a greater need for strong families and homes." ...
"And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit" by Julie B. Beck
"There has grown in me an overwhelming testimony of the value of daughters of God. So much depends on them. In my visits with the sisters, I have felt that there has never been a greater need for increased faith and personal righteousness. There has never been a greater need for strong families and homes." ...
Sunday, May 8, 2011
31 Days to Better Parenting: Day 8
The first talk to read was by Elder Bednar in October 2009 General Conference, More Diligent and Concerned at Home. The talk for today is another talk given by Elder Bednar in the very next General Conference. Both talks are so jam-packed with principles that you would miss so much unless you read and reread the talks! I am only including some of my highlighted parts of this talk.
Elder Bednar gives some of the most wonderful promises to parents if they will be vigilant and spiritually attentive.
Watching with All Perseverance by Elder David A. Bednar
"Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching. You and I live in “a day of warning” (D&C 63:58). And because we have been and will be warned, we need to be, as the Apostle Paul admonished, “watching … with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)."
- I often find myself relaxing, thinking all is well; in my family, in church and in my community. It is talks like this that put me back on my toes. Watching and waiting for the attacks on my family or the world around us.
"This early warning system applies to children of all ages and contains three basic components: (1) reading and talking about the Book of Mormon with your children, (2) bearing testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children, and (3) inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon. Parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children."
"Component Number One: Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon with your children. he Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the Savior’s gospel and is the only book the Lord Himself has testified to be true. Indeed, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion."
- I love all the new resources that the Church is using in order to help members study and share the gospel. I sometimes take for granted the "keystone" of our religion. I need to do better at making the Book of Mormon the "keystone" of our family.
"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that abiding by the precepts found in the Book of Mormon would help us 'get nearer to God' than any other book... power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for parents to observe their children, to listen to them, to learn from them, and to teach them.
Youth of all ages, even infants, can and do respond to the distinctive spirit of the Book of Mormon. Children may not understand all of the words and stories, but they certainly can feel the 'familiar spirit' described by Isaiah. And the questions a child asks, the observations a child shares, and the discussions that occur provide crucial spiritual early warning signals. Importantly, such conversations can help parents to discern what their children are learning, thinking, and feeling about the truths contained in this sacred volume of scripture, as well as the difficulties they may be facing."
- Seriously? What better promises are there for parents? Of course it is easier said than done, but I receive these amazing blessings just from daily reading the Book of Mormon with my family?
"Component Number Two: Bearing Testimony Spontaneously
Parents should be vigilant and spiritually attentive to spontaneously occurring opportunities to bear testimony to their children."
- This quote is specifically speaking of bearing testimony, but if we cut off part of the sentence:
Parents should be vigilant and spiritually attentive.
What a great motto for a parent to live by!
"The reactions of children to such impromptu testimony bearing and their eagerness or reluctance to participate are potent sources of spiritual early warning signals. A child’s expression about a lesson learned in family scripture study or a candid statement of concern about a gospel principle or practice can be most illuminating and help parents better understand a child’s specific question or needs. Such discussions—especially when parents are as eager to listen intently as they are to talk—can foster a supportive and secure environment in the home and encourage ongoing communication about difficult topics."
- If we are paying attention and actively listening to our children (spoken and unspoken) we can know where they are at spiritually and emotionally.
"Component Number Three: Inviting Children to Act"
"...we 'seek learning … by study and also by faith...' "
"As gospel learners, we should be 'doers of the word, and not hearers only' (James 1:22). Our hearts are opened to the influence of the Holy Ghost as we properly exercise agency and act in accordance with correct principles—and we thereby invite His teaching and testifying power. Parents have the sacred responsibility to help children to act and to seek learning by faith..."
"Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime. As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help our children learn 'to fish' and to become spiritually steadfast. This vital objective is best accomplished as we encourage our children to act in accordance with correct principles—as we help them to learn by doing. 'If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God' (John 7:17)."
"Such learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception."
- I truly believe that the only way for parents to invite children to act, is to first set the example themselves and then to foster opportunities that allow the children to learn how to take action! This learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion, and as parents it takes all of those things in order to create an environment where this is possible!
Elder Bednar gives some of the most wonderful promises to parents if they will be vigilant and spiritually attentive.
Watching with All Perseverance by Elder David A. Bednar
"Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching. You and I live in “a day of warning” (D&C 63:58). And because we have been and will be warned, we need to be, as the Apostle Paul admonished, “watching … with all perseverance” (Ephesians 6:18)."
- I often find myself relaxing, thinking all is well; in my family, in church and in my community. It is talks like this that put me back on my toes. Watching and waiting for the attacks on my family or the world around us.
"This early warning system applies to children of all ages and contains three basic components: (1) reading and talking about the Book of Mormon with your children, (2) bearing testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children, and (3) inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon. Parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children."
"Component Number One: Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon with your children. he Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the Savior’s gospel and is the only book the Lord Himself has testified to be true. Indeed, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion."
- I love all the new resources that the Church is using in order to help members study and share the gospel. I sometimes take for granted the "keystone" of our religion. I need to do better at making the Book of Mormon the "keystone" of our family.
"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that abiding by the precepts found in the Book of Mormon would help us 'get nearer to God' than any other book... power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for parents to observe their children, to listen to them, to learn from them, and to teach them.
Youth of all ages, even infants, can and do respond to the distinctive spirit of the Book of Mormon. Children may not understand all of the words and stories, but they certainly can feel the 'familiar spirit' described by Isaiah. And the questions a child asks, the observations a child shares, and the discussions that occur provide crucial spiritual early warning signals. Importantly, such conversations can help parents to discern what their children are learning, thinking, and feeling about the truths contained in this sacred volume of scripture, as well as the difficulties they may be facing."
- Seriously? What better promises are there for parents? Of course it is easier said than done, but I receive these amazing blessings just from daily reading the Book of Mormon with my family?
"Component Number Two: Bearing Testimony Spontaneously
Parents should be vigilant and spiritually attentive to spontaneously occurring opportunities to bear testimony to their children."
- This quote is specifically speaking of bearing testimony, but if we cut off part of the sentence:
Parents should be vigilant and spiritually attentive.
What a great motto for a parent to live by!
"The reactions of children to such impromptu testimony bearing and their eagerness or reluctance to participate are potent sources of spiritual early warning signals. A child’s expression about a lesson learned in family scripture study or a candid statement of concern about a gospel principle or practice can be most illuminating and help parents better understand a child’s specific question or needs. Such discussions—especially when parents are as eager to listen intently as they are to talk—can foster a supportive and secure environment in the home and encourage ongoing communication about difficult topics."
- If we are paying attention and actively listening to our children (spoken and unspoken) we can know where they are at spiritually and emotionally.
"Component Number Three: Inviting Children to Act"
"...we 'seek learning … by study and also by faith...' "
"As gospel learners, we should be 'doers of the word, and not hearers only' (James 1:22). Our hearts are opened to the influence of the Holy Ghost as we properly exercise agency and act in accordance with correct principles—and we thereby invite His teaching and testifying power. Parents have the sacred responsibility to help children to act and to seek learning by faith..."
"Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime. As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help our children learn 'to fish' and to become spiritually steadfast. This vital objective is best accomplished as we encourage our children to act in accordance with correct principles—as we help them to learn by doing. 'If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God' (John 7:17)."
"Such learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception."
- I truly believe that the only way for parents to invite children to act, is to first set the example themselves and then to foster opportunities that allow the children to learn how to take action! This learning requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion, and as parents it takes all of those things in order to create an environment where this is possible!
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