I was touched today as I listened to the afternoon session of General Conference as Elder L. Tom Perry talked about the importance of parents in teaching children the valuable lessons in life.
I loved how he gave examples of his own mother and the wonderful things she did to enrich her family members and teach them both temporal and spiritual lessons. Her “overpreparation” never went to waste, as she dedicated her time to teaching her children as well as her Relief Society sisters. I also have a mother, who has gone above and beyond in all her church callings, and has shown her children through example the way we ought to serve. I am so grateful for this example, and strive to be more like her in my own calling and as I embark on parenthood.
Elder Perry also talked about the family proclamation and the roles of parents in the home. I appreciated that he not only reiterated the sacred roles outlined in that document, but that he emphasized that mother and father should support each other and work as a team to raise their family in love and harmony. Together they create a home that serves as a learning environment for all the essential skills, standards, and characteristics that every parent hopes her children will learn.
Of course, not every home is ideal, but I’ve seen the great power mothers have over their children—-even when they stand alone. I am convinced that these single parents can provide the same teaching and learning opportunities when they do all they can and enlist the help of ward members.
It’s true that our world is increasingly devoid of good principles, values, and morals. But if we as parents can teach our children to have faith and to stand strong, we can not only combat that trend—-we can create a generation of builders.