Sunday afternoon session: Despite evil of world families can be safe
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No matter how evil the world becomes, Elder Robert D. Hales declared Sunday afternoon, "our families can be at peace. If we do what's right, we will be guided and protected."
Using father Lehi as an example, Elder Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke of how he must have been heartbroken when Laman and Lemuel " 'partook not of the fruit' representing the love of God," but the Book of Mormon prophet "girded up his loins, and with faith 'he did exhort (his children).'
"We, too, must have the faith to teach our children and bid them keep the commandments. We should not let their choices weaken our faith. Our worthiness will not be measured according to their righteousness. . . . Sometimes, as parents, we feel we have failed when our children make mistakes or stray. Parents are never failures when they do their best to love, teach, and care for their children. Their faith, prayers and efforts will be consecrated to the good of their children."
The Lord's desire is for parents to keep His commandments, Elder Hales continued. "I want to remind all of us today that no family has reached perfection. All families are subject to the conditions of mortality. All of us are given the gift of agency — to choose for ourselves and to learn from the consequences of our choices."
Elder Hales related the account of Moses, whose "parents took seriously their parental duties." His mother, rather than see her infant son killed, placed him in a basket of bulrushes and "directed the tiny vessel down river, to a safe place — to where the pharaoh's daughter bathed. Leaving nothing to chance, Jochebed also sent along an inspired helper, her daughter Miriam, to keep watch."
Later, Moses forsook Egypt after learning who he really was. "I join with faithful parents everywhere in declaring that we know who we are, we understand our responsibilities as parents, and we do not fear the wrath of the Prince of Darkness. We trust in the light of the Lord."
The greatest help for families, Elder Hales continued, "comes through the gospel — from our Heavenly Father, through the guidance of the Holy Ghost, in the doctrines and principles, and through the priesthood."
Elder Hales then shared "five important elements of parenting:"
• "Hold family councils. . . . There are priceless blessings to be obtained from counseling together with our families showing a genuine interest in the lives of our family members."
• "Leave the door to our hearts open." Using the example of the Prodigal Son, Elder Hales said "it is never too late to open the door between us and our children with simple words such as 'I love you,' 'I am sorry,' and 'Please forgive me.' "
• "Liken the scriptures to our lives. . . . Are we likening all of our children's gospel experiences to the real needs of their lives?"
• "Take advantage of every-day teaching moments. These moments are priceless. They come when we are working, playing and struggling together."
• "Trust the Good Shepherd. . . . He will help us trust and honor the principles of agency, opposition and the Atonement, even when our children make unwise decisions."
Elder Hales continued: "Through it all, we will sorrow to see our family members suffer the slings and arrows of mortality. But we will stand all amazed at the love of our Savior — the love He offers them. Because of Him, the buffetings need not defeat and destroy them, but can soften, strengthen and sanctify them."
