It isn’t chaos because they don’t see the spilled milk, the unwashed dishes, the clothes that have not been folded for days, and the clutter all around the house. All they see is a superhero who comes to their rescue when they hurt themselves, an artist who helps them with art projects, a friend who listens to them when they feel down or feeling under the weather, a die-hard fan during school plays, soccer practices, and ballet performances, an amazing cook who ensures their tummies are full, someone who tries their best to be kind, forgiving, and patient—a mother who means everything to them.

They see you teaching them good values and showing them how to make the right choices. They see you as their safe space. They know that they can explore the world around them, make mistakes, learn, grow, and be loved all the same.

So when they say that you are the best mom in the whole world, soak it up and let it linger for a little while because they mean every single word. For them, you are enough.

It can be hard sometimes to look at the brighter side of things when you’re exhausted, and your patience is dangling by a thread but know that you are not alone in this journey of raising such valiant spirits. The Lord sees your efforts, even the ones that you think aren’t good enough, He hears your silent plea for help when you feel that all your energy has been depleted, He rejoices with you on every little milestone you have with your kids, and perhaps His hands are involved too when you finally get to spend a little time on your own to recuperate.

For Him, you are cut out to be a mother. For Him, giving your best is enough. For Him, you are enough.

There will be disappointments, frustrations, feelings of inadequacy, and heartaches along the way, but there will also be resilience, patience, strength, bravery, compassion, joy, and lots of little moments day after day, reminding you that you’ve done a good job, and that it is worth it. Don’t wish that feeling away. Pat yourself in the back because pulling it together even when it’s hard, makes you enough.

There’s no perfect recipe for motherhood. Please know that grilled sandwich or frozen pizza for dinner is okay, that late drop-offs to school sometimes happen, that it’s okay to be vulnerable with people you trust. You don’t have to have it all together all the time. It’s okay to need help, and seeking help doesn’t mean you’re incompetent, rather it shows that you’re aware that you need a support system. Know that you may not be a perfect mom, but you are enough.

If you look hard enough, you’ll realize that as your kids grow, you also grow. You’ll recognize that this journey, with its highs and lows, is a refining one, full of lessons that only motherhood can teach. You’ll recognize that the hardships of motherhood have prompted defining moments in your faith and trust in the Lord, and that rearing your kids is part of the Lord’s work “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of [His children]”. And perhaps the most important part of it is getting a glimpse of Heavenly Father’s love for us.

So breathe. Take it one day at a time. You are doing remarkable things. You are enough!

The post To All The Mothers Who Feel Inadequate: You Are Enough appeared first on morefaith.ph.

You ask yourself, “Why am I feeling this way? What am I doing this for?” Sometimes you might feel like you’re stuck in a loop of exhaustion, restlessness, and not having enough time for all the things you need to do, or for yourself.

That is normal and almost all mothers feel the same way. It can be exhausting.

However, He chose YOU to nurture the world and His children here on earth. He gave you this divine role and duty to build His Kingdom.

As an expecting mom or a mom of younger babies, you can get tired of all the sleepless nights and exhausting days doing childcare and household chores, among other things. But that exhaustion just bursts into thin air when you see your baby taking his first step, or hearing him say his first word, or just seeing him smile at you. Oh, that overwhelming joy in a new mom’s heart!

As a mom of older kids, you can get exhausted from chores and making sure that they are growing into responsible people and doing good things in their life. You worry if you’ve disciplined them enough or loved them enough, or just simply if you’ve done enough. But when they hand you that ‘I love you’ note out of nowhere, or kiss and hug you, or you see them do well at school, at work, or in life, no amount of hard work or tears can tarnish the happiness that you feel. Every tear will make sense, and even your worries can turn into joy.

You are the one with the power to make the home! You probably make the delicious meals your family enjoys every day. You bear the children that add happiness to the family. You might organize the family’s schedule so everyone and everything is in order. You are the reason why that child jumps up and down with joy upon seeing you. You are the reason why they try their best to make you proud and happy. You are the reason why that child is brave enough to face their fears and be brave because you taught them to do so. You are the reason why your kids leave the house presentable, tidy, and healthy. And believe it or not, you are the reason they always want to come home!

That’s how motherhood is! This divine role from God surely involves a lot of work, pain, and countless sacrifices, but the joy and numerous lessons it brings make everything worth it.

The role of a mother can’t be defined by how many chores she can finish in a day, or how well she can cook, or whether she works or stays at home, but by how willingly she cares for her family, and how she loves them so dearly. No mother is perfect, but you don’t have to be. Christ will lead and guide you in this most important calling, and He can make up the difference for the imperfections and mistakes that we all have.

The leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have taught about the importance Heavenly Father places on mothers, and the trust that He has in you, “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

When you understand the divinity of this role, the difficult responsibilities become lighter as you ask God for guidance and help for each child. You will understand that more than the tasks you need to finish, you are shaping God’s child into what He wants him to be. You are building God’s Kingdom and preparing His children for their divine roles in this life.

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“47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.”

Such valiant mothers! But we are left to wonder about their fathers.

The Fathers of the Stripling Warriors Provided for Their Sons

When we read in the same chapter verse 27, however, we see the big role the fathers of the stripling warriors played.

“27 And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.”

We can see that the stripling warriors received great support from their Dads. I can’t  imagine how it must have felt for these fathers to see their teenage sons go into battle. The parents of these young men had made a covenant with God never again to take up weapons of war. So seeing their sons going to war to do their duties in defending their families and their liberty must have been scary, but at the same time something they must have been very proud of. Sending provisions is the next best thing they could have done to support their sons. The fathers of the stripling warriors provided for their sons not just to feed them or give them what material things they needed, but they brought provisions to give their sons moral support and to boost their morale. It must have been their way of saying, “I am here for you, my son. I am rooting for you! Hurrah!”

The Effect of Their Fathers’ Support

Because these young men were provided for, they must have been well fed and in good spirits. However, this was not the only outcome of their fathers’ support.

“29 And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.”

Their enemies, upon seeing that they were getting support, felt rattled. They saw their strength, not just in numbers or physical force, but they also saw their backing and they were shaken. It created a psychological threat that made the Lamanites think they were facing an even more formidable opponent. This may or may not have been a part of Helaman’s strategy, with some sort of a psychological warfare, but it is natural to think that if someone is well provided for, he will not be easily destroyed.

The Essence of the Father’s Role to Provide for His Family

The fathers of the stripling warriors, through their efforts to provide for their boys, proved that the role of fathers as providers goes beyond just taking care of the physical needs of the family. It creates a protective shield. It paints an image of strength for their wife and children. The family is more secure. Children have increased self-confidence because they have a sense of identity belonging to a good family. This, in turn, radiates to the people around them. People more easily see the family as a strong unit because the father is a good provider. Such a family is less susceptible to insecurity, bullying, shaming, etc. People respect them when they see a father who is able to provide, not just physical support, but emotional and moral support as well.

As we celebrate fathers, may we learn from the fathers of the stripling warriors. They may not be a popular lesson from the epic story of the mighty 2000, but their influence and their effort can’t be overlooked. They were a crucial part of the victory of Helaman’s “little sons” and a paragon for all fathers to emulate.

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“You look so drained. Stop having children already!”

People see parents around them looking so tired taking care of their children and that is true. Having children takes much of our time and energy but please don’t tell us to stop having children especially if you do not know the whole picture. “Children are an heritage of the Lord…” (Psalm 127:3) The decision to have children is made by husband and wife and the Lord. However sincere our intentions are, we may make parents feel limited and guilty. When people tell us to stop having children, it makes us feel like it’s our children’s fault that we feel and look exhausted. It is so unfair for the little ones. It feels so unfair to us. We want to have children and we are paying the price to have them in our lives. I am sure parents who spend most of their time taking care of their children are happy. They may look tired but that doesn’t mean they do not feel rewarded for their efforts. A word of appreciation can go a long way if we want to help parents who seem to be spread thin. We can compliment their efforts and if they need us to, let us lend a helping hand.

“Stop feeling that way. It’s a matter of choice.”

Thank you for reminding us of our agency but please allow us to be human. We have all the right to feel angry, exhausted, silent, disappointed, elated – and these feelings need to be validated. It is already hard, and enough pressure is put on our shoulders, without thinking that we shouldn’t feel this way. Sister Reyna I. Aburto said, “My dear friends, it can happen to any of us — especially when, as believers in the plan of happiness, we place unnecessary burdens on ourselves by thinking we need to be perfect now. Such thoughts can be overwhelming. Achieving perfection is a process that will take place throughout our mortal life and beyond — and only through the grace of Jesus Christ.”

All of us are fighting battles, whether we can see them or not. Kind words of encouragement are very helpful. However, let us be more sensitive and remember that sometimes a listening ear weighs more than unsolicited advice. We can talk to them and validate their feelings of exhaustion or fear or anger. A simple word of appreciation for the good they do as parents will definitely brighten their day.

“Don’t worry! Everything will be okay.”

We are already worried and everything will not be okay – at least not right away. Things will sometimes – if not most of the time – go wrong. The plans we make will not always come to pass. Things will at times go bad and sometimes bad things will take a turn for the worse. That is part of our mortal journey.  If we worry, that is normal. Please don’t get us wrong. We want things to be okay all the time. Who wouldn’t? But if someone tells us, “Let’s grow through it!” that would make us feel a lot better. Let’s realize that every reason for worry is an avenue for lessons to be learned. We can work hand in hand as parents by asking each other how we can parent better. We may have different circumstances but we have one thing in common – we want to be the best parents for our children. So let’s use that common ground to plant the seed of empathy and compassion and reap the blessings of team work.

There are a lot of reasons why parenthood can be such a Herculean task. That is more so because of the different roles parents need to fill, especially in troubled times. Communication is a vital tool in all relationships. Through proper and sincere communication, walls between people are broken and relationships are strengthened. There are times when, however sincere our intentions are, we sometimes fail to put into the right words what we want to communicate. One thing we can do is to listen. Taking time to listen and to understand someone is an act of charity and when we do listen, we may better console and serve each other.

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I have been a mother for 12 years now. And as my children increased in number, my excitement for Conference somehow diminished. I asked myself, “Am I going inactive?” “Have I gone so far from the straight and narrow path?” These questions may sound dire but although I’m probably just overthinking, deep in my heart, I fear positive answers to them. During General Conference Broadcast, I am faced with a myriad of challenges and I am pretty sure, in one way or another, we can all relate.

Do I Listen to the Speakers or to My Child?

My children cannot keep quiet for long. They always have something to say and questions to ask. They ask pretty good questions but there are times when they are plain silly. “Mum, why is President Nelson’s head so shiny?” How can I then keep a straight face and keep quiet dignity when faced with questions like that? I needed to remind myself that I am a mother to my children first, before I am a member listening in the congregation. My children first learn from me before they learn from General Authorities speaking in Conference. So I brace myself and answer their questions the best way I can.

Do I Take Notes or Do I Carry my Sleeping Child in My Arms?

Taking down notes for impressions I get and words that inspire me has been one of the highlights of my General Conference experiences, and it is important to me that I keep a notebook for that specific reason. Another perk for taking down notes is that it keeps me awake throughout the 2-hour sessions. But now, in my years of motherhood, my children doze off during Conference and I have needed to carry them. Maybe it is because of the Tabernacle Choir’s music or the perfect chapel temperature and lighting — they doze off almost altogether and obviously, taking down notes sometimes becomes impossible. Their sleeping spell is even contagious. I sometimes find myself dozing in the middle of a talk. Feelings of frustration can be overwhelming at times like this but then I ask myself, “Would you rather have other people carry your children and smell their head and feel their heartbeat?”

Do I Attend General Conference Broadcast or Do I Stay at Home?

Despite all the craziness, I’d still choose to gather with the Saints in chapels for General Conference Broadcast. I understand that I can’t “perfectly” prepare for General Conference, but I want to “intentionally” prepare to do so. Even if I cannot listen well, I think it’s okay. I gather with the Saints and bring my children with me. I know that if I do this, my children will eventually see the importance of gathering for Conference where possible. They may not learn from the speakers but they will surely learn from us. They will be able to see the reverence we give to this sacred event.

There are times when situations do not allow us to watch General Conference with the Saints as a congregation. But I strongly feel that if we can, and if circumstances allow, it’s good to go to Stake Centers or Chapels and bring our children with us. I really feel that when the Saints gather, the heavens smile and miracles happen. Things will get better. It will not always be chaotic. Our children will grow up and we will miss all the mess they create. So for now, while we still can, we should experience General Conference with them. These will be moments we can remember for the rest of our lives.

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Aside from the “Come, Follow Me” manual, I have found a lot of things we can use to increase attention span and improve how we teach our children in a home setting.

Use Church Youtube Channels and Websites

There are a number of Youtube channels that showcase videos and even karaoke songs that help us deliver lessons to young children. The following links below are good examples:

1.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqcV3DaWnvf2j-Dl1w7nNyA
2.https://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages

lds.org is also a very good resource. Try the following links:

1.https://www.lds.org/children?lang=eng
2.https://www.lds.org/media-library?lang=eng

Make Object Lessons

It is sometimes difficult to give lessons on faith, repentance or the Atonement that are geared towards young minds. If we use day to day objects and situations that they can relate closely with, we may find it easier to teach them gospel principles. The Savior provided a powerful example in His use of parables. We can also make modern-day parables to share with our children the points of doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Grab Every Teaching Opportunity

A question asked, a moment that happened, at meal times, during commute – these are all teaching opportunities. It is ideal to sit down and talk to our children discussing topics from the “Come, Follow Me” manual. However, it is not the only time or setting when we can have a gospel discussion. The Holy Ghost can manifest truths to us and to our children in places and in situations when we need inspiration the most. We need not wait until we sit down and open with a prayer and a hymn. We can take advantage of every minute when a teaching opportunity is available.

Get Back to Basics (Scriptures, Gospel Art Kit, Family Home Evening Manual, Music, etc.)

No matter what new website or latest app, nothing can replace the valuable resources already provided for us. The scriptures must never be replaced when it comes to where we base all our lessons. The Gospel Library is replete with beautiful texts and images we can use to teach our children but what if there is no power or our electronic gadgets fail? Having a gospel library in print at home is a big help. It is fundamental. If we still do not have one at home, let us start with completing the four standard works – The Book of Mormon, The Holy Bible, Doctrine & Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price. Eventually build a gospel library at home adding a book or two that can be used to increase gospel knowledge. This is a good investment so children will develop a love for reading and searching the scriptures.

It is a challenge for young parents with small kids to create a learning atmosphere like that of the primary classes they have at church. Gathering them in a formal setting is already hard enough. Getting them through the whole lesson is a Herculian task. We just need to roll up our sleeves and use the creativity that God has given us. Each family has setups unique to them. We cannot compare ours with others but we can learn from them. Let us open our eyes and our hearts for inspiration that may come our way as we strive to center our gospel learning inside the four corners of our home. This is an opportunity for us to practice more fully our responsibility to teach our children and nurture their testimonies.

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But who are we kidding? There is no Santa Claus… As much as I want my children not to read this article and get upset, I also want to address the “Santa Clauses” out there – the parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends – who will be busy with the Christmas rush. We can all learn a thing or two from Saint Nick.

Determine if They are Naughty or Nice

Like the Law of the Harvest, let us not forget that children need to learn that they will reap what they sow. Let us connect our gifts to how they have been throughout the year. Like Santa Claus, we must show that good things come to those who are good. If we must give them gifts even if they have been “naughty”, may we have the time to explain to them that they need to do better. Naughty or nice, we love them just the same. We just need to make sure that we love them enough to train them to be good people.

Make a List and Check Twice

I love how Santa is very organized. He makes lists! And not just that… He checks twice! This is a very good thing to emulate. Christmastime is the busiest season of the year with all the parties and activities. It is very easy to get caught up in the hustling of the holidays. Having a list of the things that we need to do and the people that we need to reach out to, can help a lot. Our children may have hinted at the things that they want. Writing them down and checking the list before we go out and buy gifts is a practical way to save time and money. This way our gifts are more meaningful because they will know that we have remembered to get them what they really wanted instead of getting them the generic things that were on sale.

Let Them Wait

I used to imagine Santa sneaking into the house on Christmas Eve to place presents under the tree for me to open on Christmas morning. But I must admit that once, I asked myself, “Why doesn’t he give gifts earlier, like on December 1st?” Patience is indeed a virtue! For when I waited for Christmas morning before opening my presents, the feeling was more gratifying. I think it’s the wait that adds value to the whole experience. Children need to learn delayed gratification so they will know how to “bridle all (their) passions”.

Tap the Power of the Elves

Let’s face it! Sometimes, we just can’t do it by ourselves. Some gifts are just expensive. Sometimes, they can be impossible considering the wild imagination of children. Or there are times, that we do not have enough time and we get frustrated that we did not get the gifts we wanted to give to the kids. While Santa has his little helpers, we too can ask for help from family (this includes our children) and friends. We need not do it all by ourselves. We can ask for ideas on how to get things or how to orchestrate scenes. Help is always available especially in this digital age when communication is much easier.

Don’t Forget to Relish the Milk and Cookies

When the work is done, don’t forget to savor the moment of being thanked and appreciated. Take time to live in the present (not the gift but the time) and just be there with your children. I know we have a lot of things to do afterwards, especially the electricity bill from all the Christmas lights that we put up. But that can wait. Everything else can wait. Spending time with our children on Christmas is something that they will look back to when they grow up. And take extra time to bask in their smiles and hugs and thank-yous and I-love-yous. For in this, the Christmas fuss is all worth it. While Santa enjoys his milk and cookies that kids leave for him on Christmas Eve, let us enjoy the sweet moments with our children on Christmas Day.

We may not give them gifts wrapped in fancy papers and bows but it is my prayer that we give our children memories and lessons that will add value to their mortal journey. Christmas is the best time to help them learn about patience, empathy, gratitude, goodness, love, joy and family. But then again, as the song says, the secret of Christmas is “not the things you do (or give), at Christmas time; but the Christmas things you do (or give) all year through.” May the Spirit of Christ be with us throughout the year and may we find joy in His undying love for all of us.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The post What I Learned from Santa Claus About Giving Gifts to Our Kids appeared first on morefaith.ph.

Set a Schedule

An extra hour during Sundays also means families have ample time to set aside specifically for learning the gospel at home. The best way to prepare family for gospel study in the home is to set a schedule where you’re all free from commitments and ready to learn together. Setting a clear schedule can help each member of the family look forward to special times where you can gather and share insights. Once a time slot has been established, family gospel learning can be an activity that both parents and kids – whether young and old – will look forward to and prepare for.

Record Impressions

2 Nephi 25:26 makes a powerful statement on the importance of writing down impressions. It says:

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, and we write according to the prophecies , that our children may know to what source they may look for for the remission of their sins.”

Recording impressions received during family gospel study will help both parents and kids be reminded of the feelings and powerful impressions we can receive when we sincerely study the scriptures. Encourage each family member to keep a notebook and journal where he or she can record his or her thoughts. Have a family journal as well where you can write down the feelings and the promptings that came during the activity. A great blessing of learning as a family is that everyone can have the chance to share – something that doesn’t always happen in a class discussion. Help children realize the blessings of studying the gospel early on by encouraging them to write down impressions.

Have a Family Commitment

One of the most popular scripture verses in the Book of Mormon – recorded in 1 Nephi 3:7 – was an expression of Nephi’s commitment to follow the Lord’s commandments. Because Nephi stayed true to his commitment, he was able to become a witness of how the Lord fulfills His promises. Coming up with challenges which you can commit to and act upon can help each family member be reminded of what you have learned. When each family member is blessed with the privilege of feeling the spirit through service, it will leave a mark – a mark that can help them appreciate gospel learning with the family.

Introduce Activities

Be creative with your family gospel study. Introducing activities other than reading and discussing the lesson can help break up the monotony. Come Follow Me for Families and Individuals introduces various activities for every lesson – one activity even includes inviting members to draw what they have learned. How fun is that? Even kids will be excited.

Prepare Together

As you establish a pattern of home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning, don’t miss out on including everyone in the planning and preparation. You can ask the children to pick out hymns – and make sure those hymns are played during your study schedule to invite the spirit. Involve the older kids in the preparation for lessons. When family members are given roles, gospel learning as a family won’t feel like mom and dad’s own agenda again.

Take Time to Encourage

Studying the gospel at home is possible, but it has its own sets of challenges. Some of our family members may feel like reading the scriptures and taking a few minutes to ponder and discuss the topics discussed are just challenging. You can establish gospel learning at home by taking time to reach out, teach and encourage each family member to “feast upon the words of Christ.” If at first, kids get bored or the program doesn’t turn out the way you hope, don’t fret. Consistency is key – just continue to be creative and encouraging.

It is a wonderful opportunity to be alive in these latter days. The Lord is truly hastening His work – He needs laborers who know, laborers who love the gospel. The Lord wants to make sure families are being spiritually strengthened within the walls of their own home. Establishing gospel learning at home will not be easy but remembering these 6 tips – and being consistent – can make a big difference.

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Time Flies so Fast

All the sleepless nights spent feeding, changing diapers, and putting children to sleep felt like forever. Not to mention the meals that needed to be prepared, dishes to be washed, laundry to be done – all these things made me ask, “When will all this stop? Because the truth is, these things are breaking my back and I am so tired.” However, when I looked at my eldest daughter and realized she is going to be a teenager soon, I got confused. Wasn’t it just a while ago that she was still my little girl? Then I felt in my heart a sharp pang of regret. I should have held her more often. I should have kissed her endlessly. The nights are long when you have children. It’s true. But the years are short and if we miss any chance to be there in their lives and having them in ours – we are missing a lot!

Hold Close What is Important

I used to feel very frustrated when nothing seemed done at the end of the day because all I did was carry my baby. That feeling that you need to fold the clothes or finish something up in the kitchen, but you have your hands cuffed by a six-month-old – it is really discouraging! I even complained to my Father that I did not get anything done around the house. His wise answer was, “You are already doing the most important task you have.” Holding a child in my arms made me realize that this is why babies need to be carried and held close. It is because they are more important that any other thing that we need to do. So hold your little ones. Carry them close to your heart and smell their breath and savor the sweet smell of their head.

If You Want to Feel Loved and Needed, Care for a Child

Remember how it feels when a child looks at you with puppy eyes? Or when they scream and kick to get what they want from you? A lot of people in the world today struggle with their self-worth. But if you are taking care of children, you will always feel needed and loved. You will know you need to get up in the morning because someone is depending on you. When babies cry, you can’t help but cater to their needs. You somehow forget yourself and rise to the challenge of unselfish service. Then when their cries turn to smiles and giggles, we get the best compensation there is – we feel loved. Children have that magic in them, and it always works.

You Hold the Future in Your Hands

No matter how fragile they may look now, they are the leaders of the future. We may not leave a grand legacy when we die, but in them we can plant the seeds of a better tomorrow. The little hands that cling to our hair and knock down glasses and bowls will soon build families and communities. The little mouths that scream and drool will sing future songs and proclaim truth and justice. Their small and delicate bodies will soon grow to the mold that is their spirit and in no time, they will shape the world that we will be living in. “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world” so they say. Carrying a child in my arms made me feel optimistic about the future. It gave me a greater purpose and motivation to do better and be better as a mother.

I used to wonder why Heavenly Father made us go through birth and childhood when, in all His power, He could send us to Earth as full-grown human beings. The answers became clearer with each child I held. Through the process we learn, line upon line and grow and develop not just physically but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The experience is a total learning syllabus. These little ones have no idea that, in the process, they are teaching valuable life lessons to unsuspecting parents. So with all my heart, learn from your little ones. Carry a child in your arms and feel the presence of a loving Father in Heaven who trusts us enough to let us take care of His spirit children. It is such a humbling yet rewarding experience!

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The home is a crucial place to prepare the younger generation to serve a full-time mission. The vision is to get them ready enough that when they enter the MTC, it will already be a review of what they have learned at home. To achieve this goal, children need to get back to the basics.

Teach Them the Doctrine

Family Home Evenings, Family Council, Family Prayer, and Family Scripture Study are avenues to help children know the doctrines of the Gospel. During these times they will learn about the Plan of Salvation. They will be taught principles that govern the lives of true disciples of Jesus Christ. They will also learn practical application of these principles, as they emulate your example. These basic family activities play a vital role in the spiritual maturity of a child. Every home evening, every prayer, every spiritual family activity is a blueprint like the mission field – full of teaching opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Teach Them Self-reliance

Children are exposed to basic self-reliance skills at home. When they are taught to do household chores such as washing the dishes, making their beds, sewing a button on a shirt; they are given opportunities to depend on themselves. It boosts their morale because they have a sense of accomplishment. In the mission field, mother is not there to cook your meals. No one will make your bed for you and you have to clean up after yourself. It is a type of survival skill to know these basic household jobs.

Teach Them People Skills

Social etiquette is more caught than taught. Allow children to play with their peers instead of with their gadgets. Communicate with them by spending more time with them. Allow them to express themselves. It is always an advantage for a child to meet and greet people in person – face to face. This develops their sense of empathy. Bring them to church and take them to visiting and ministering activities. In this time of digital communication, sometimes the essence of being able to truly understand people and touch their lives is obscured by emojis and forwarded messages. Future missionaries must be able, through their own experience, to look people in the eye and express sincerity naturally.

Teach Them How the Spirit Works

How does a burning bosom feel? Children must have opportunities to identify the presence of the Holy Ghost. That warm and comforting feeling whenever they do good or hear something true and eternal must be emphasized. For in those moments they can know for themselves how the Spirit brings truth and light to our attention. This is a crucial part of missionary work. Since the Spirit is the true teacher, children must have an understanding of how to invite Him and how to know that He is present. This way, they can also impart the same understanding of how the Holy Ghost works to their investigators.

The bar has been raised in the standard of missionary service. The age of young men and young women allowed to serve full-time has been lowered to 18 years old and 19 years old respectively. These inspired changes are an indication that the Lord is hastening the work of salvation. Parents can take part in this great work in so many different ways. But no work is of more importance than training future missionaries in these four ways – within their home.

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