“The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. 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. Extended families should lend support when needed.”
In the D&C 68: 25 it states, “And again, 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.”
The responsibilities of parenthood cannot be taken lightly. The word of the Proclamation are clear, “Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.” We are the best source of clarity and understanding for all the conflicting messages our children receive out in the world. We need to be, as Elder Bednard taught, “more diligent and concerned at home” with stewardships we bear as parents. Our children need to know of our love for them, our testimony of the gospel, and they need our time and attention.
Watch this short presentation of Elder Bednar’s talk More Diligent and Concerned at Home
Elder Robert D. Hales taught, “No matter how evil the world becomes, our families can be at peace. If we do what’s right, we will be guided and protected.” What a wonderful promise we can put our confidence in as we walk the path of parenthood, with all its joys and challenges, here in mortality. We are doing the work of the Lord. No other position or title we hold will be greater than that of ‘Mom’ or ‘Dad.’
To read or listen to Elder Hales’ whole address — you can access it here
I want to include two links to this post on the topic of parenting. These articles first appeared in the Ensign (The Church’s adult magazine) in March and then in April of 1975. What good are articles 40+ years ago, you ask? The reason these articles still hold value today, comes from the timeless truths they contain. Principles of right and wrong do not go out of date. No matter what the world does to distort values, God’s laws will never change.
This except from part 1 maybe inspire you to read both articles:
“The Lord identified four characteristics of successful parents when he described the Saints who would inherit the earth in these last days. (See D&C 45:56–59.) First, they are wise. Second, they have received the truth. Third, they have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide. Fourth, they have not been deceived. Seventy-three years before the first coming of Christ, the prophet Alma declared that the ministry of the priesthood was to prepare the minds of the people, “that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming.” (Alma 39:16.)”
“Principles of Parenting” by Neil J. Flinders can be read in their entirety by following the links
The Family -- An Heritage of the Lord 