The Sacred roles of Fathers and Mothers
I discuss the important roles fathers and mothers play in this life and in the Eternities. I talk about things we can do to be better fathers and mothers.
D&C 27:15-17
15 Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.
16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;
17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;
18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me, and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.
“The shield of faith is made of: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis. That shield of faith is not produced in a factory but at home in a cottage industry.
The ultimate purpose of all we teach is to unite parents and children in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are happy at home, sealed in an eternal marriage, linked to their generations, and assured of exaltation in the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Lest parents and children be “tossed to and fro,” and misled by “cunning craftiness” of men who “lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14), our Father’s plan requires that, like the generation of life itself, the shield of faith is to be made and fitted in the family. No two can be exactly alike. Each must be handcrafted to individual specifications.
The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.
It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done.”
Fathers
“ “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in Love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.”
“Fathers, yours is an eternal calling from which you are never released. Callings in the church, as important as they are, by their very nature are only for a period of time, and then an appropriate release takes place. But a father’s calling is eternal, and its importance transcends time. It is a calling for both time and eternity.”
“The most important of the Lord’s work that you Fathers will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home. Home teaching, bishopric’s work, and other Church duties are all important, but the most important work is within the walls of your home. ”
“A man who holds the priesthood leads his family in Church participation so they will know the gospel and be under the protection of the covenants and ordinances. If you are to enjoy the blessings of the Lord, you must set your own homes in order. Together with your wife, you determine the spiritual climate of your home. Your first obligation is to get your own spiritual life in order through regular scriptural study and daily prayer. Secure and honor your priesthood and temple covenants; encourage your family to do the same.”
Here are 10 ways Fathers can be spiritual leaders in the home
Give fathers blessing to your children. Baptize and confirm your children. Ordain your sons to the priesthood these will become spiritual highlights in the lives of your children
Personally direct (to manage or guide) family prayers daily scripture reading, and weekly family home evenings. Your personal involvement will show your children how important these activities really are.
Whenever possible, attend church meetings together as a family. With Covid 19 provide the Sacrament in your home and guide a discussion from the come follow me manual. Family worship under your leadership is vital to your children spiritual welfare
Go on daddy-daughter/sons dates. As a family go on campouts or picnics, to ball games and recitals, to their programs and so forth. Having Dad go to these activities makes all the difference
Build traditions of family vacations and trips and outings. These memories will never be forgotten by your children
Have regular one on one visits with your children. Let them talk about what they would like to. Teach them gospel principles. Teach them true values. Tell them you love them. Personal time with your children tells them where Dad puts his priorities.
Teach your children to work, and show them the value of working toward a worthy goal. Establishing mission funds and education funds for your children shows them what dad considers to be important.
Encouraged good music, art and literature in your homes
Regularly attend the temple with your wife
Have your children see your joy and satisfaction in service to church
Temporal necessities of life: food, shelter, clothing
Spiritual necessities: Teach them that spiritual needs are met through maintaining our relationship with our Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelites spent time each day gathering physical manna, we today must gather spiritual manna through prayer, gospel study and striving for constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.
A fathers Credo
I respect my children
I value my children opinions
I shall involve my children in setting the rules for our home
I have confidence in my children. I shall trust them completely to comply with family guidelines
I make mistakes, and therefore must allow my children to do so also. I will protect them from big mistakes and pitfalls as well as I can, but will also allow them to face the consequences of poor decisions
Mothers
“Most sacred is a woman’s role in the creation of life. We know that our physical bodies have a divine origin and that we must experience both a physical birth and a spiritual rebirth to reach the highest realms in God’s celestial kingdom. Thus, women play an integral part (sometimes at the risk of their own lives) in God’s work and glory “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” As grandmothers, mothers, and role models, women have been the guardians of the wellspring of life, teaching each generation the importance of sexual purity—of chastity before marriage and fidelity within marriage. In this way, they have been a civilizing influence in society; they have brought out the best in men; they have perpetuated wholesome environments in which to raise secure and healthy children.”
“Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness. To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women.
2000 stripling warriors: were valiant, courageous and strong. Alma 53: 21 “Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him” These brave young men stated: Alma 56:48 ”Our mothers knew it” (speaking of the gospel and living it)
When these 2000 warriors who were the anti Nephi Lehites, found that they were at a cross road in there life as to whether they should take up arms to defend there people when there parents/grandparents had covenanted to never take up there arms they were taught by their mothers that the lord would protect them if they lived the commandments: there mothers knew it”
Proverbs 29:15 “a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame?”
Teach your children in righteousness
Read to your children
Pray with your children
Let them see you pray
Have weekly family home evenings, come follow me lessons
Share your testimony:
Be an example of how to treat others
Be together at mealtimes
Read scriptures daily
Do things as a family
Play with them
Moms and Dads Love your Children
You want to be your children memories but to do this you need to be in there lives today
My greatest wish is that my kids always know how much I love them, and that they walk through the rest of their life knowing I’ll aways be there for them anyway I can.
““Until next week May the light of the savior shine in your relationships and bring you joy each and every day.””