Children who honor their aged parents continue a cycle of respect that may well benefit them when they themselves are aged and in need, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of the Twelve said Saturday morning.

The fifth commandment "to honor our parents has strands that run through the entire fabric of the gospel," he emphasized. "It is inherent in our relationship to God our Father. It embraces the divine destiny of the children of God. This commandment relates to the government of the family, which is patterned after the government of heaven."Elder Oaks observed that the commandment to honor parents "echoes the sacred spirit of family relationships in which we have sublime expressions of heavenly love and care for one another." And, he continued, the greatest expressions of joy or pain in mortality are made regarding members of our families.

"Young people, if you honor your parents, you will love them, respect them, confide in them, be considerate of them, express appreciation for them, and demonstrate all of these things by following their counsel in righteousness, and by obeying the commandments of God," he instructed.

Latter-day Saints are obliged to care for their parents and grandparents to "the very best of our ability," emphasized Elder Oaks. When the elderly have no family, priesthood leaders should make every effort to fill their needs.

"From time to time, Church leaders hear of grown children who seem to be good Latter-day Saints but are negligent or even maliciously indifferent in care for their aged parents," he said. "Some have encouraged parents to distribute their property and then have put them away in institutions, sometimes with inadequate care and sometimes without regular visits and expressions of love from their children.

"I believe this was the kind of circumstance the Lord's spokesman, the prophet Isaiah, thundered against when he said, `Hide not thyself from thine own flesh.' " (Isa. 58:7.)

Elder Oaks suggested that aged parents should be given the opportunity to make as many decisions, and live as independently as possible. When a parent is no longer able to live alone, and is invited to live with a child, the family circle remains intact.

He shared personal insights on the promise by describing a situation of how the children and grandchildren honored his wife's grandmother and mother. "They visited her frequently, they made her part of every occasion where she desired to participate, and they gave her every consideration and respect," he said.

"A worthy example repeats itself from generation to generation. Truly, righteousness is a beacon, and a worthy act is its own reward."