This compact talk got right to the point using the quotation from President Joseph F. Smith. "To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it; they are welcome to their opinions, to their ideas and to their vagaries. The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into "Gods" rest."
Making it easy to see and understand, if our desire is to have the rest while we live, here are the points to ponder:
- Have faith in his purpose and in his plan.
- We are not hunting for something else.
- We are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine.
- We are not taken in by the cunning and craftiness of men. We realize they are lying in wait to deceive.
- We know of the doctrine that it is of God.
- We do not ask questions of anybody about it.
- Others we tolerate and welcome them to have their opinions, ideas and vagaries.
Following this we will have entered into "God's" rest. We don't turn away from the light.
He mentions a "helpful habit" to lift our vision daily, especially if we tend to procrastinate the good we should pursue now. The simple daily things will have a long-lasting impact on our feeling of peace.
Children grow up and as they do, parents are given hind sight. As grandparents it is a perspective that allows recognition of good decisions made, counsel followed and gratitude for those results seen in the lives of new families being created and taught. "The saddest words of tongue or pen are those four words; it might have been." This truth also comes to us when we look back and wonder which attitude, action or inaction might have brought suffering or unhappiness into the life of a child. Brother Lawrence here sets out some of the dangers that may be avoided by specific parental guidance. Guidance given to "get her off the tracks..." of an oncoming train so to speak.
- Parenting is not a popularity contest
- Husbands and Wives must be united when making parenting decisions and decisions must be guided by the Spirit - refer to the letter from a heart broken mother regarding her son
- When morality is involved, we have the right and obligation to raise a warning
- Nothing really good happens late at night
- Regarding sleepovers, respond to that warning voice inside
- Five fundamentals: 1-Family Prayer, 2-Family Scripture Study, 3-Family Home Evening, 4-Family Dinner Together, 5-Regular One-on-one Interviews
- Counseling requires courage
We live ever changing lives and parents have their own challenges while they are raising the children so I will add that you must have patience and never, ever give up.
A convert probably has no more nor less understanding of this gift than the eight year old receiving it from the hands of his or her father. It is only by following the admonitions of the sacrament prayers and then sincerely desiring this gift that we become ready to "receive" it as the confirmation prayer is said. Then it is not just there, we have to appropriately invite the Spirit into our life. The Spirit however, only comes in response to the request when we faithfully obey the commandments.
The distractions of the world in our lives keep us from this simple path. We are surrounded each day by a myriad of thoughts introduced by our environment, so remembering this path must become part of us every day and making new approaches to being ready to hear the Spirit.
One day, knocking on doors (we usually clapped at the gate) Elder Stewart and I were tired and it was almost lunch time. "Let's go down to the end of this short street before we quit." I said, feeling the influence as a result of fasting and a specific prayer that morning.
"Oh, please come in;" exclaimed a smiling, welcoming Zulmira and her daughter. "We have been expecting you." We entered and taught the lessons to her and her daughter. They were prepared. They already seemed to know the things we were teaching. About ten days later, after their baptism and visiting in their home she said; "I want to show you something." She went into the next room and came back with a copy of the Book of Mormon. "Two women missionaries left this with us years ago and we read it. They never came back."
I have begun reading To the Rescue about the life of Thomas S. Monson. Rob recommend it to us. It is all about following the guidance of the Spirit. Some learn this early, some of us later, but we all must learn it to know in this life the truth of our brother Jesus Christ and then when and how we should act as a result of that witness.
This is the talk that I believe Elder Perry wanted to give to the Priesthood Meeting on Saturday. I called to my mind the older generation, the times, choices, activities, challenges, disappointments and winnings of those years of youth. Now I am reminded that I conferred this Priesthood of Aaron upon each of my four sons at their appropriate time and I believe that each one would say that overall it has made a difference. Shirlyn is however, the person who directed their feet to the Eagle Scout badge mentioned here also.
Now I look at this next generation of eight new warriors who will sooner than you know be candidates for this preparatory priesthood with its three offices of responsibility. They will reach that age of 12 when the latter-day prophets have determined is the appropriate time. They will follow in this order:
- Max
- Justin
- Gavin
- Brady
- Timothy J.
- Austin
- Levi
- Royce
At that time the world will not be any better or safer for them to begin but it will have the same direction of good parents and teachers showing the way. The commandments will be explained. The decisions will become such that mistakes will be made. The gifts of faith and repentance will begin to have place in each day and parents will have less presence during hours away from the safety of home. In each day these warriors will need to confront alone the dangers that are presented in our world. Therefore, I will say to them as they prepare for this time, what Elder Perry told his grandson Terry:
- Keep your body healthy and clean
- Develop your mind and become wise
- Be strong and resist temptation in a world filled with it
- Trust in the Lord, especially when you need His protection
This advice was based on the story of Daniel in the Old Testament. Referring to this story and the many others in the scriptures he counseled: "These stories in the scriptures will never grow old. They will be just as exciting for you when you're reading them as a deacon, a teacher, a priest, a missionary, a home teacher, an elders quorum president, or whatever the Lord calls on you to do. They will teach you to have faith, courage, love for your fellowman, confidence, and trust in the Lord."
As I watch this priesthood in action in this far away land, I see the same reverence and power here as the young men prepare and pass the sacrament. The same attitudes that Elder Perry explained in this talk. Even though the meetings here are not part of a stake or ward like the ones your young men are part of, the priesthood is the same. They are being taught here by men with testimonies and challenged as you will be to live as the Lord has patterned for you.
And then his challenge for you as parents who may be reading this summary; "Parents of these magnificent young men and women, we charge you with the sacred responsibility of teaching your children the doctrines of the holy priesthood. Your children must learn at an early age of the blessing of having the Lord's eternal priesthood and what they must do individually to qualify for these blessings."
We know, as grandparents of these eight young warriors that the preparation is being done and we thank you. Our prayers are alive with this hope and blessing.
