Questions about Religion

Advice to Parents of Wandering Children

“The story of the prodigal son gives us all hope. The prodigal remembered home, as will your children. They will feel your love drawing them back to you. Elder Orson F. Whitney, in a general conference of 1929, gave a remarkable promise, which I know is true, to the faithful parents who honor the temple sealing to their children: ‘Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold.’ ”

Henry B. Eyring, “Our Perfect Example,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 72

Topics: Children, Parenthood

12 Feb 2010 | 1:00 am

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Our Homes Should Be Filled with Expressions of Love

“We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. Such expressions do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love.”

David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 17

Topics: Family, Love

7 Dec 2009 | 1:00 am

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Parents Need to Truly Listen to Children

“Parents need to give children choices and should be prepared to appropriately adjust some rules, thus preparing children for real-world situations (see “Three Essential Parenting Principles,” 59). To do this, parents must listen—really listen—to what their children are saying. They must know what is important to each child. I learned this lesson years ago from one of our daughters. She was only four or five at the time. She came into the room, all excited. I was reading the newspaper, and she had something very much on her mind that was important to her. And I was responding, ‘Yes, uh-huh, uh-huh.’ All of a sudden the newspaper came crashing down with her two little hands. She grabbed my face between her hands so that she could look me right in the eye. This was a little four- or five-year-old teaching her father a great lesson. ‘Daddy, you’re not listening to me.’ And she was right.”

M. Russell Ballard, “The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood,” Ensign, Mar. 2006, 32

Topics: Parenthood

27 Nov 2009 | 1:00 am

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There Has Never Before Been a Greater Need to Teach Prayer

“Perhaps there has never been a time when we had greater need to pray and to teach our family members to pray. Prayer is a defense against temptation. It is through earnest and heartfelt prayer that we can receive the needed blessings and the support required to make our way in this sometimes difficult and challenging journey we call mortality.”

Thomas S. Monson, “Three Goals to Guide You,” Liahona, Nov. 2007, 119–20

Topics: Prayer

19 Oct 2009 | 2:00 am

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Parents Should Help Children Feel the Holy Ghost

“While each person can learn to recognize the whisperings of the Spirit, that learning process can be facilitated as others help us understand about the Holy Ghost, share their personal testimonies, and provide an environment where the Spirit can be felt.“The importance of helping others understand is described in the Doctrine and Covenants. Parents ‘in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized’ are told to help their children ‘understand the doctrine.’ “Whether we are in a classroom, a missionary discussion, or a family home evening, teaching the doctrine regarding the Holy Ghost can help others understand this important gift.”

Vicki F. Matsumori, “Helping Others Recognize the Whisperings of the Spirit,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 10

Topics: Holy Ghost, Parenthood

15 Jan 2010 | 1:00 am