RS Lesson 22 Aug 2010

Our lesson was taught by Sis. Carol Heintz, and was based on a talk by Elder Robert D. Hales, entitled "Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation."

The talk starts off by addressing and "encourage parents and all who are called to lead and serve the youth of this world. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that we have “an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation” (D&C 123:11)."

For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence. For youth, there is no substitute for seeing the gospel lived in our daily lives. The stripling warriors did not have to wonder what their parents believed. They said, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (see Alma 56:47–48). Do our children know what we know? For parents, as you drive or walk children to school or their various activities, do you use the time to talk with them about their hopes and dreams and fears and joys? Do you take the time to have them take the earplugs from their MP3 players and all the other devices so that they can hear you and feel of your love? "The more I live, the more I recognize that the teaching moments in my youth, especially those provided by my parents, have shaped my life and made me who I am."

Sis. Heintz told a story about her brother, who at age 12, wanted a rifle in the worst way. When he finally received one, it was not the one he wanted. As an adult, he realized that what was important was not the gift itself, it was the rite of passage his Father was giving him. Another brother told of fishing with Dad. Usually dad would go off one way, leaving him to find his own fishing spot. Once, they were out on a boat, making it impossible for them to go off in separate directions. They sat in the boat all afternoon, and he said that that day was the best time he ever had with his Dad. He was able to talk and be heard, learn and get to know Dad as a person.

Elder Hales continues,stating: "For our interactions with youth to truly touch their hearts, we have to pay attention to them just as we would pay attention to a trusted adult colleague or close friend. Most important is asking them questions, letting them talk, and then being willing to listen—yes, listen and listen some more—even hearken with spiritual ears! Several years ago I was reading the newspaper when one of my young grandsons snuggled up to me. As I read, I was delighted to hear his sweet voice chattering on in the background. Imagine my surprise when, a few moments later, he pushed himself between me and the paper. Taking my face in his hands and pressing his nose up to mine, he asked, “Grandpa! Are you in there?”
Mother, Father, are you in there? Grandpa, Grandma, are you there? Being there means understanding the hearts of our youth and connecting with them. And connecting with them means not just conversing with them but doing things with them too."

"Recently I heard a mother recount how she had helped her first three daughters complete their Personal Progress requirements by doing what was expected—staying informed and signing off projects. Then she tenderly explained, tears flowing down her cheek, “Recently I have been working with my fourth daughter by actually doing her projects with her. It has made all the difference in our lives and our relationship. But oh, what sadness I feel when I realize what I lost by not doing this with my other three daughters.” The saddest words of tongue and pen are those that say, “It might have been!”
Adult members of the Church should understand that Personal Progress and Duty to God requirements are not just lengthy lists of items to check off. They are personal goals set by each young man and young woman to help them become worthy to receive temple ordinances, serve missions, enter into eternal marriage, and enjoy exaltation. But let it be understood: for young men and young women to try to accomplish these goals alone would be a great loss and tragedy!
Fathers, mothers, and leaders of youth, we urge you to participate in Personal Progress and Duty to God with your children and with the youth. Not only will they grow; you will grow too. And just as importantly, you will grow together in a bond of faith and friendship that will allow you to strengthen each other and stay on the gospel path forever, to indeed be an eternal family."

"In these perilous times it is not enough for our youth to merely know. They must do. Wholehearted participation in ordinances, quorums and auxiliaries, inspired programs, and fortifying activities helps youth put on the whole armor of God. Will we help them put on that armor so they can withstand the fiery darts of the adversary? To truly choose the Lord’s way, they must know His way. And to truly know His way, we must teach and lead them to act, to participate, to do.

The greatest missionary work we will ever do will be in our homes. Our homes, quorums, and classes are part of the mission field. Our children and grandchildren are our most important investigators.

The greatest family history work that we will do will be within our own homes. It is the spiritual preparation of our children in the rising generation that will, through their obedience, ensure the eternal preservation and perpetuation of our families for the coming generations.

The greatest rescue, the greatest activation will be in our homes. If someone in your family is wandering in strange paths, you are a rescuer, engaged in the greatest rescue effort the Church has ever known. I testify from personal experience: There is no failure except in giving up. It is never too early or too late to begin. Do not worry about what has happened in the past. Pick up the phone. Write a note. Make a visit. Extend the invitation to come home. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. Your child is Heavenly Father’s child. You are about His work. He has promised to gather His children, and He is with you.

The greatest faith we have will be within our homes as we remain strong in the trials and tribulations of parenthood. To a small group of mothers, President Monson recently said, “Sometimes we are too quick to judge the effect of our successes and failures.” May I add, don’t look at today’s trials as eternal. Heavenly Father does His work in the long term. “There is much which lieth in futurity,” the Prophet Joseph Smith said. “Therefore, . . . let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (D&C 123:15, 17)."

The Church profits from the youth. We need to have higher expectations of these choice spirits. A sister recounted a story of a visiting general authority, staying with the family of a stake president. The stake president and his wife gave up their bedroom, staying on the couch, so that the general authority could have the privacy and comfort of the master bedroom. In the middle of the night, the stake president's toddler son came into mom and dad's room to find a stranger in the bed. He said "you're not my dad." The general authority admitted that no, he wasn't The child asked "Did my father say it was ok for you to be here?" The general authority said yes, that the child's father had given his permission for him to be there. The child said "ok," and snuggled up to the general authority and went right back to sleep. The point of telling this story here is that; Our father has asked us to be there. For our own families, and for each other. By being there, by providing comfort and love to "even these the least of my brethren," we are better able to teach this rising generation by example. First we learn a gospel principle, then we act on it, then we have to share what we have learned. If we do this, we can be a force for good in every circumstance. Sis. Heintz summed it up beautifully by saying "A righteous person is righteous all their lives."

Are you "there" for your children? For the youth you work with, serve, and teach? For each other? Dede B.