It seems like whenever I listen to conference twice a year, and think about what I want to share on this blog, that I am always drawn to choose talks that are my “favorite” based on what I must need to learn or hear at the time. It is a blessing to me to have this avenue to re-read the conference talks and share my thoughts on them with whoever is reading. Maybe your favorite was not my favorite. It doesn’t really matter, because they are all inspired. But, I want to share a talk with you that was important to me this time around.
As a mother of three young children, I often share my struggles with motherhood. I loved the talk, “Teaching Our Children to Understand” by Cheryl A. Esplin, a member of the General Primary Presidency. It was a talk that was meant for my ears, and helped me to understand the powerful influence I have as a mother. Yet, it is applicable to anyone that teaches children.
Her talk spoke of not just teaching children doctrine, but helping them understand the doctrine so it becomes a part of who they are. What parent doesn’t want that? As most mothers, I want my children to grow up to be kind, loving, and Christ-like. I want those qualities to be innate. While some qualities are born in our children, some are taught. With, love, and patience, we can teach our children what it truly means to be Christ-like.
How do we do this though? That is the question every mother has. Of course, we have to lead by example, but she also spoke of taking real-life situations that our children are experiencing at the moment, and using those moments to teach. It has to be constant, or we will miss the opportunities to teach.
She quoted Harold B. Lee when he said, “Without experiencing a gospel principle in action, it is … more difficult to believe in that principle”. Of course! Our children must experience a gospel principle in order to gain a testimony of that principle. I still remember a time in my young adult life when I was struggling to put myself through college. I had a limited income waiting tables. I had not fully gained a testimony of tithing. Yet, I had faith to put it into action. I would pay my tithing first out of my tip money, and then pay the rest of my bills. I was amazed as time and time again, I would need $40 to pay a bill and would make that exact amount (after tithing) in tips that night. I put something into action, and I gained a testimony of it.
While our children may not be paying tithing, from a very young age, they need to gain a testimony of other gospel principles like love, respect, kindness, etc. It is our responsibility to teach those to them. In the moment. I would encourage any Latter-Day Saint Mom that missed this talk to read and re-read. I know I will be doing that.