Share Joyful Time

Elder Hugo Montoya spoke about love for God and our fellow men in his recent talk in general conference. He said this about showing love to children: “My wife and I always try to be there for our children at any time, under any condition, and by any means. Each child is unique; their worth to God is great, and no matter what challenges, sins, and weaknesses they have, God loves them, and so do we…. Bless your children, whether they are 5 or 50 years old. Be with them; be for them. Although providing is a responsibility established by divine design, we must not forget to share joyful time with our children.” I was reminded of the value of this “joyful time” last night when my four-year-old insisted that everyone gather to play a game that his older sister had been doing earlier. Seeing that he was not going to bed until this happened, I tried to do it with him and his sister, but he would have none of it: everyone had to be there. So I sought to gather his siblings together and make them play this game, which we eventually did with all our children together in the same room for a few minutes. It was a simple activity that didn’t take us long but he was very excited to do it together, and I think they all actually had fun despite my oldest son’s embarrassment at playing a game common to young schoolgirls. My four-year-old’s insistence on having us all there was a powerful lesson to me that we need more of these kinds of activities as a family. It was also a reminder that, as Elder Montoya encouraged us, we cannot let the busyness of caring for our home and children cause us to neglect spending joyful time with them and enjoying “wholesome recreational activities” together.  

               The Lord has reminded parents in the Doctrine and Covenants of their duties towards their children. First, they are to provide the necessities of life for their children until the latter can do so for themselves: “All children have claim upon their parents for their maintenance until they are of age” (Doctrine and Covenants 83:4). Second, parents are to teach the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ to their children: “Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand 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, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents…. And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord. And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25, 28-29). It is not enough to provide food, clothing, and shelter for our children: we must provide them a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they can find their way back to the Father. The Lord summarized this principle in a different revelation: “But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.” The Savior reprimanded the Frederick G. Williams because he had not adequately done this: “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” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:40-43). Surely that is an invitation for all parents—we must seek to bring up our children in light and truth and set in order our homes so that our children can learn the gospel of Jesus Christ in a place of peace and love. And as Elder Montoya taught, we should include with that instruction times of joy and enjoyment together so that as our children feel our love for them they will start to know of the love God has for them, learning for themselves that “our Heavenly Father’s love for each of His children is real. He is there for each one.”