Teachings for Mothers: October 2010 General Conference


Being an Example

  • "The prophet Brigham Young said: 'We should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.' Each of us can start today by being that good example" (Mary N. Cook, "Be an Example of the Believers," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "In today’s world replete with temptations, 'holding fast' can be challenging, as Satan in his conniving ways tries to pull us away from God’s ways. If we have one hand on the rod and one hand in the world, we put our children and youth in danger of losing their way on the path. If our example is confusing, then in Jacob’s words we lose 'the confidence of [our] children, because of [our] bad examples' " ("Be an Example of the Believers").
  • "Hypocrisy is terribly destructive, not only to the hypocrite but also to those who observe or know of his or her conduct, especially children. It is faith destroying, whereas honor is the rich soil in which the seed of faith thrives" (D. Todd Christofferson, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "We do not need to be perfect—just honest and sincere. Children want to feel as one with us. When a parent says, 'We can do it! We can read the scriptures daily as a family,' the children will follow!" (Rosemary M. Wixom, "Stay on the Path," Oct. 2010 general conference).

Counsel to Parents

  • "Each of us can reach out to hold on to the children. We can stop, kneel down, and look into their eyes and feel of their innate desire to follow the Savior. Take hold of their hands. Walk with them. It is our chance to anchor them on the path of faith" (Rosemary M. Wixom, "Stay on the Path," Oct. 2010 general conference). 
  • "Parents, obtain a personal copy of [For the Strength of Youth] and read it often. Live the standards yourself. Have thoughtful gospel conversations with youth that will help them develop their own desire to live and discover for themselves the meaning and purpose of the standards" (Mary N. Cook, "Be an Example of the Believers," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "Parents of these magnificent young men and women, we charge you with the sacred responsibility of teaching your children the doctrines of the holy priesthood. Your children must learn at an early age of the blessing of having the Lord’s eternal priesthood and what they must do individually to qualify for these blessings" (L. Tom Perry, "The Priesthood of Aaron," Oct. 2010 general conference).

Family Scripture Study and Prayer

  • "Like [Lucy Mack Smith], we must show our children and youth how to strengthen their faith and testimony of Jesus Christ by strengthening our own through studying the scriptures and through prayer, personally as well as with them" (Mary N. Cook, "Be an Example of the Believers," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "When our intent is to hold tight to the word of God, our reading of the scriptures can be just one verse at a time. It’s never too late to begin. You can start now" (Rosemary M. Wixom, "Stay on the Path," Oct. 2010 general conference).

Family Home Evening

  • "We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most," Oct. 2010 general conference).

Guidance for Standards

  • "We must model that which is virtuous and lovely by our personal media choices. We must take care that the media we invite into our homes does not dull the sensitivity to the Spirit, harm relationships with our family and friends, or reveal personal priorities that are inconsistent with gospel principles. By example we can help our children understand that spending long periods of time using the Internet, social media, and cell phones; playing video games; or watching television keeps us from productive activities and valuable interactions with others" (Mary N. Cook, "Be an Example of the Believers," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "We also model that which is virtuous and lovely by our dress and appearance. As a covenant people we have the responsibility to care for, protect, and properly clothe our bodies. We must help our children and youth understand that we respect our bodies as temples and as gifts from God. We set the example by refusing to purchase or wear immodest clothing that is too tight, too sheer, or revealing in any other manner” ("Be an Example of the Believers").

Parenting

  • "It’s so important for husbands and wives to be united when making parenting decisions. If either parent doesn’t feel good about something, then permission should not be granted. If either feels uncomfortable about a movie, a television show, a video game, a party, a dress, a swimsuit, or an Internet activity, have the courage to support each other and say no" (Larry R. Lawrence, "Courageous Parenting," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "Courageous parenting does not always involve saying no. Parents also need courage to say yes to the counsel of modern-day prophets. Our Church leaders have counseled us to establish righteous patterns in our homes. Consider five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth: family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner together, and regular one-on-one interviews with each child" ("Courageous Parenting").
  • "It takes courage to gather children from whatever they’re doing and kneel together as a family. It takes courage to turn off the television and the computer and to guide your family through the pages of the scriptures every day. It takes courage to turn down other invitations on Monday night so that you can reserve that evening for your family. It takes courage and willpower to avoid overscheduling so that your family can be home for dinner" ("Courageous Parenting").
  • "One of the most effective ways we can influence our sons and daughters is to counsel with them in private interviews. By listening closely, we can discover the desires of their hearts, help them set righteous goals, and also share with them the spiritual impressions that we have received about them. Counseling requires courage" ("Courageous Parenting").

Pornography

  • "Pornography will always repel the Spirit of Christ and will interrupt the communications between our Heavenly Father and His children and disrupt the tender relationship between husband and wife" (Boyd K. Packer, "Cleansing the Inner Vessel," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "We raise an alarm and warn members of the Church to wake up and understand what is going on. Parents, be alert, ever watchful that this wickedness might threaten your family circle” ("Cleansing the Inner Vessel").

Protecting Family

  • "An ever-present danger to the family is the onslaught of evil forces that seem to come from every direction. While our primary effort must be to seek light and truth, we would be wise to black out from our homes the lethal bombs that destroy spiritual development and growth. Pornography, in particular, is a weapon of mass moral destruction. Its impact is at the forefront in eroding moral values. Some TV programs and Internet sites are equally lethal. These evil forces remove light and hope from the world. The level of decadence is accelerating. If we do not black out evil from our homes and lives, do not be surprised if devastating moral explosions shatter the peace which is the reward for righteous living. Our responsibility is to be in the world but not of the world" (Quentin L. Cook, "Let There Be Light," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "In addition, we need to greatly increase religious observance in the home. Weekly family home evening and daily family prayer and scripture study are essential. We need to introduce into our homes content that is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.' If we make of our homes holy places that shelter us from evil, we will be protected from the adverse consequences that the scriptures have foretold" ("Let There Be Light").
  • "Challenges and temptations are coming at our teenagers with the speed and power of a freight train. As we are reminded in the family proclamation, parents are responsible for the protection of their children. That means spiritually as well as physically" (Larry R. Lawrence, "Courageous Parenting," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "As Latter-day Saints, we need to do our best to preserve light and protect our families and communities from this assault on morality and religious freedom" ("Let There Be Light").

Simplifying

  • "If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most. . . . It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "Since 'no other success can compensate for failure' here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship" ("Of Things That Matter Most").

Teaching Children

  • "The world will teach our children if we do not, and children are capable of learning all the world will teach them at a very young age. What we want them to know five years from now needs to be part of our conversation with them today" (Rosemary M. Wixom, "Stay on the Path," Oct. 2010 general conference).
  • "Teach them in every circumstance; let every dilemma, every consequence, every trial that they may face provide an opportunity to teach them how to hold on to gospel truths" ("Stay on the Path").
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