By strengthening home, parents help youth put on armor of God
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"Put on the whole armour of God," was Paul's admonition. (See Eph. 6:11-18.)
Elder David B. Haight, at April 1973 general conference, counseled Latter-day Saints to do that by strengthening their homes. Elder Haight, then assistant to the Council of the Twelve, said:"After interviewing the youth in his ward, a dedicated bishop recently commented on the lack of spiritual direction given by some parents to their own teenage sons and daughters. He said: `Bishops and teachers can't do it all. Parents must teach their children the pitfalls of evil.' This bishop then compared differences in priorities in the homes as reflected in his interviews with the youth. One girl said, `I know the gospel is true; I live it; I keep the commandments; no problems.' Another young lady remarked, `I don't accept all of it; I'm battling with some parts; we never discuss it at home.'
" ` . . . never discuss it at home.' What a tragedy! Strengthen your home. Teach your loved ones to distinguish between Satan and our Savior. Teach your loved ones that `all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, . . . and inviteth and enticeth to sin.' (Moro. 7:12.)
"Not explaining these eternal truths of the gospel in the warm atmosphere of your home could be the difference between exaltation and darkness. At a crucial moment in a youth's life, the humble testimony of mother and father could be recalled and make the difference in a critical decision."
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Sunday School course of study on the New Testament, lesson No. 37.
Information compiled by R. Scott Lloyd
Sources: James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith; First Presidency preface to Hymns; April 1973 and October 1994 general conferences.
