Teach It Unto Your Children

Elder Valeri V. Cordón taught about Divine Parenting Lessons in the most recent general conference. He encouraged us first to create a gospel culture in our homes: “Although our cultural backgrounds, parenting styles, and personal experiences may be valuable for parenting, these abilities are insufficient to help our children return to heaven. We need access to a more elevated ‘set of values and … practices,’ a culture of both love and expectations, where we interact with our children ‘in a higher, holier way.’… Jesus Christ is the center of this gospel culture. Adopting the gospel culture in our families is critical to creating a fertile environment where the seed of faith may flourish.” Elder Cordón referred to the Lord’s instruction to Adam regarding the teaching of his children as he encouraged us to likewise teach our children. The Lord said this to Adam, “Inasmuch as thy children are conceived in sin, even so when they begin to grow up, sin conceiveth in their hearts, and they taste the bitter, that they may know to prize the good. And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment.” Elder McConkie taught that this phrase “conceived in sin” means that they are “born into a world of sin”; in other words, our children are born into a world full of sin, and so they will experience sin and taste the bitter and inevitably make mistakes because of the pull of the world. But that does not mean that we are without influence. The Lord continued: “Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time. Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children” (Moses 6:55-58). We combat the influence of sin in the world by teaching freely to our children the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially of repentance and the holiness of the Only Begotten Son of God. We must freely—meaning frequently and without restraint—teach our children about the Savior and how to use their agency to follow Him.

                Elder Cordón emphasized that as parents we need “intentional” parenting when it comes to how we raise our children. He told of his own mother’s intentional parenting when she taught him the importance of patriarchal blessings and helped him to obtain one for himself. He quoted Sister Joy D. Jones who said, “We cannot wait for conversion to simply happen to our children. Accidental conversion is not a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” He also emphasized this statement from President Nelson: “No other work transcends that of righteous, intentional parenting!” Ultimately what we want is for our children to feel the Spirit of the Lord and understand the doctrine of Christ to help them act for themselves and choose to make and keep covenants with the Lord. We cannot shy away from teaching and inviting them to do what is right, for the world certainly will not let up in trying to push them down different paths. As Elder Cordón highlighted, “Heavenly Father never intended for us as parents to sit on the sidelines as spectators, watching the spiritual lives of our children unfold…. Parents, this world is full of philosophies, cultures, and ideas competing for our children’s attention. The great and spacious building advertises its membership daily using the most current media channels.” And so, every day we too must invite them to follow “a more excellent way” in the gift of the Son of God. Of course, we cannot control them or take away their agency, but we can actively seek to inspire and direct them to follow the covenant path. President Nelson summarized it well this way: “Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.” The adversary will continue to try to lead them astray through the pull of the great and spacious building, and so as parents we must be all the more committed to “[teach our] children light and truth, according to the commandments” and to be “diligent and concerned at home” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:42, 50).