Many of this past Conference\u2019s addresses were warnings to strengthen and protect our families. We already know Satan is targeting the family, but the Brethren must see something coming that will really test family units even more.<\/p>\n
May we listen to our leaders, obey their counsel, and take their warnings seriously.<\/p>\n
Elder Bednar says, \u201cWe also are blessed by spiritual early warning signals as a source of protection and direction in our lives.\u201d These warnings only help us if we heed them. He tells us to watch vigilantly and with perseverance. If we, as parents, act on three things, we will be attuned to possible problems encountered by family members, and be better able to strengthen, reinforce, and inspire back to safety, our loved ones.<\/p>\n
1) Reading and Talking about the Book of Mormon\u2014\u201cThe unique combination of these two factors\u2014a focus on the Savior and the plainness of the teachings\u2014powerfully invites the confirming witness of the third member of the Godhead, even the Holy Ghost. Consequently, the Book of Mormon speaks to the spirit and to the heart of the reader like no other volume of scripture.\u201d Having regular discussions about doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon, providing your children with an opportunity to ask questions, and share their own thoughts and observations will alert you to how best to direct, and guide, your children.<\/p>\n
2) Bearing Testimony Spontaneously\u2014\u201cParents should be vigilant and spiritually attentive to spontaneously occurring opportunities.\u201d Bearing testimony to one another allows the spirit to flow between family members. Children can teach just as purely as the parents.<\/p>\n
3) Inviting Children to Act\u2014\u201cParents have the sacred responsibility to help children to act and to seek learning by faith.\u201d Parents don\u2019t know all the answers. Willingly search the scriptures with one another, and find answers together. Give children the opportunity to find their own answers in the scriptures, then discuss how they feel about those answers.<\/p>\n
No family is perfect. Many children have already formed opinions about the gospel. Some children may be too young or too old. Family circumstances may be unique and difficult. But remember what Elder Bednar said at the beginning of his talk. \u201cYou and I live in \u2018a day of warning\u2019 (D&C 63:58). And because we have been and will be warned, we need to be, as the Apostle Paul admonished, \u2018watching\u2026with all perseverance\u2019 (Ephesians 6:18)”. It is to our benefit that we find a time and a place to enact his \u201cspiritual early warning system\u201d into our family schedules.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll notice that each of these areas is written in the present tense, as if we are presently do\u2014\u201cing\u201d these things now. Let us incorporate reading, testifying, and inviting our children with further knowledge of the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ, and His unfailing gospel. By teaching our children to recognize the spirit, and giving them opportunity, and encouragement, to act on those promptings they receive, they will be able to withstand the storm we are presently facing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many of this past Conference\u2019s addresses were warnings to strengthen and protect our families. We already know Satan is targeting the family, but the Brethren must see something coming that will really test family units even more. May we listen to our leaders, obey their counsel, and take their warnings seriously. Elder Bednar says, \u201cWe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,477],"tags":[361],"class_list":["post-1987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-conference-talks","category-family-2","tag-family-watch"],"yoast_head":"\n