Children

*Children:

“Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children.”-Pres. Packer, And a little child shall lead them, Conference April 2012

“Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example.”-Elder Cook, In Tune with the Music of Faith, April Conference, 2012

“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.”-Elder Bednar, Watching with all perseverance, April Conference 2012

 “Third, dare to have the “big talks” with your sons. You know what I mean: talks about drugs and drinking, about the dangers of today’s media—the Internet, cyber technologies, and pornography—and about priesthood worthiness, respect for girls, and moral cleanliness. While these should not be the only subjects you talk about with your sons, please don’t shy away from them. Your boys need your counsel, guidance, and input on these subjects. As you talk about these very important matters, you will find that the trust between you will flourish.”-Elder Ballard, Fathers and Sons: A remarkable relationship, Conference October 2009

“When to have a child and how many children to have are private decisions to be made between a husband and wife and the Lord. These are sacred decisions—decisions that should be made with sincere prayer and acted on with great faith.”- Elder Andersen, Children, Conference October 2011

“When children are born in wedlock and have both a mom and a dad, their opportunities and their likelihood of occupational success skyrocket. And when families work and play together, neighborhoods and communities flourish, economies improve, and less government and fewer costly safety nets are required.”-Elder Ballard, That the Lost May Be Found, Conference April 2012

“Ours is the responsibility to teach His children and awaken in them an awareness of God.”-Elder Nelson, That the Lost May Be Found, Conference April 2012

“The amount of children-and-parent time absorbed in the good activities of private lessons, team sports, and other school and club activities also needs to be carefully regulated. Otherwise, children will be overscheduled, and parents will be frazzled and frustrated. Parents should act to preserve time for family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, and the other precious togetherness and individual one-on-one time that binds a family together and fixes children’s values on things of eternal worth. Parents should teach gospel priorities through what they do with their children.”-Elder Oaks, Good, Better, Best, Conference October 2007

“It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters.”-Elder Uchtdorf, The Merciful Obtain Mercy, Conference April 2012

“Parents, in appropriate, sensitive ways, teach your children of the potential danger of abuse and how to avoid it. Be aware of warning signs, such as an abrupt change in a child’s behavior, that may signal a problem. Be alert to a child’s unsettled feelings and identify their origin.”-Elder Scott, To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse, Conference April 2008

Position Statement:

            Children have to be one of the most wonderful gifts that God can give. They have such a simple understanding of things that they can comprehend what the gospel and the teachings of Christ are all about. We can learn from their sweet example of being meek and humble, and should seek to keep our minds open to learning just a child is still learning. One day I hope that my husband and I will have the opportunity to teach children of our own the wonderful gospel of this church, and I’m sure that we will learn many things from them in the process.