So far, we have come to understand the TWO GREAT commandments...First -TO LOVE GOD and Second - To LOVE ONE ANOTHER...How to BECOME a DISCIPLE OF CHRIST.
We then, learned that if we read the Book of Mormon it will strengthen our OWN testimonies...If we read it as a family, it will STRENGTHEN the testimonies of our family members and our SERVICE and LIVING the commandments will INCREASE...plus PERSONAL REVELATION will flow. There is POWER in READING the Book of Mormon! (these thoughts are combined from other talks on the reading of the Book of Mormon) Elder Holland did referr to WARNINGS and DECLARATIONS of things to come...but he, also, stated we will FIND PEACE by "holding onto the ROD OF IRON"....
Next, we learned from our PROPHET, President Monson, that SERVING and doing GOOD things towards ONE ANOTHER...will help us come closer to God and PERSONAL REVELATON will, also, increase.
Now, we are going to direct our attention to the HOME...on what we can do "better" in our homes. Elder David A. Bednar addressed this topic.
I had to smile....Right after this talk by Elder Bednar...I got TWO texted messages on my phone...from two different children...stating..."I LOVE YOU"!!!! You have got to LOVE IT!
I can personally testify...that CONSISTENCY in the efforts of raising our families...in the areas of family prayer, family scripture study, Family Home Evenings, going to church, making temple worship a priority, Ward and Stake Service Projects, church service.....is a MUST....if we are to set the example of the importance of the covenants we all made at baptism and in the temple....LIVING the GOSPEL in these areas, is a TESTIMONY in itself...It seems to me that NOT DOING THEM...is telling our children that FOLLOWING Father's way is NOT IMPORTANT....plus it sends another message...that we don't REALLY BELIEVE...that seeking the KINDGOM of GOD FIRST is a PRIORITY...
It doesn't mean...that we are not going to have CHALLENGES in our families if we do all these things...The scriptures are full of examples: Lehi, King Mosiah, Alma Senior, Jacob (Israel), etc. But, the important thing is...that WE DO IT....for we will be held accountable if we do NOT... (Look what happened to Laman and Lemuel...the sins of their children were pronounced UPON THEIR HEADS...not their children's...for Laman and Lemuel TAUGHT THEM NOT THE TRUTH...) The covenants we made in the temple...and LIVING THEM...will BLESS OUR CHILDREN...in the long haul....in THIS life...and during the NEXT....stage of their lives...
Elder Bednar...asked us to do THREE things: 1. Tell our spouses and our children that we LOVE THEM...and then LIVE the kind of life, that SHOWS we do....2. Bear our TESTIMONIES WITHIN our homes...3. Be CONSISTENT...in doing those things that will STRENGTHEN our families...YOU KNOW what they are....
Any EXAMPLES...you have experienced in the raising up of your families??? How did it make a DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE...whether as a child growing UP in a GOSPEL centered home...or as a PARENT....
Any IDEAS......you found HELPFUL in supporting Elder Bednar's counsel.
