Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation

by Elder Robert D. Hales
Sunday Afternoon April 2010

On Sunday we had a combined Sunday School with the YM and their parents to go over the new Duty to God program so I thought it appropriate that I read this talk. It doesn't talk about the YM program but our duty to the youth. How can we help them along their path.

First, we need to lead them by example.
"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?"

Second, he says we need to walk along side (not in front or behind) them along their path with understanding hearts. "To truly understand their hearts, we must do more than just be in the same room or attend the same family and Church activities. We must plan and take advantage of teaching moments that make a deep and lasting impression upon their minds and hearts." .... "It is impossible to overestimate the influence of parents who understand the hearts of their children."

He then goes into the YM & YW programs. He says to do the programs along side them and not to just give them the list of requirements. I know that I need to be better at this. I typically ask them to pull their books out and I sit with them while they choose what they are gonna work on and then I go lay down for a Sunday nap while they fulfill their duty. I guess I better fix that :) He says, "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!"

Lastly, he says, "It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way. We can teach them to walk in the light, but that light cannot be borrowed. They must earn it for themselves. They must obtain their own light of testimony directly from the source of spiritual light—God Himself—through prayer and study and pondering. They must understand who they are and who Heavenly Father wants them to become. How do we help them?"

He says during FHE and other activities to let our children know that Heavenly Father knows who they are and ... alright he says it better

" When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever. In every interaction we share, we demonstrate the principles and blessings of the gospel.

In these perilous times it is not enough for our youth to merely know. They must do."

We have tried our best to implement this with our kids. I know we could use improvement so we will keep working toward the goal.

** I will hopefully be able to post the talks soon that I read over the weekend **