When I was a full-time seminary teacher, each semester we would have parent teacher conferences. Most were wonderful experiences but others were heartbreaking. There would be some parents asking “What do we do? We are losing our daughter (or son). All they listen to anymore is their friends. When they were young they were doing great but now…”
So I decided to ask my students. I anonymously surveyed my 150 students and asked them a simple question: “Who has the greatest influence in your life for good?” I figured their valiant seminary teacher would get a few votes, considering how many hours I taught them the gospel each week (and I was the one giving the survey). Not even close! The number one response of these 150 students, by far, was “Mom” and in a close second place, “Dad”. Some form of parent took 60% of the responses. Next, Grandma or Grandpa. Then came some other form of family member such as siblings, uncle or aunts… Ten percent went to Coaches, Scoutmasters, YM or YW leaders, Bishops, Seminary teachers. And then finally 5% said their friends were their greatest influence for good. So parents, you have a greater influence than you know, or than your kids might let you know.
The scriptures say the same thing. It wasn’t the words of the angel that changed Alma the Younger. When he was suffering for all his sins, it was the words that he had heard his father speak about the Savior that came back to his mind at that critical moment (Alma 36:17). When Enos’ soul hungered from the emptiness of the world, it was the words of his father that came back to his mind (Enos 1:3-4). Same with the Stripling Warriors and their mothers (Alma 56:47-48). It was the faith of Timothy’s mother and grandmother that brought him the knowledge of the Lord (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). And the list goes on and on of parent’s teaching their children in the scriptures.
Parents, you many not feel like any great teacher, but your kids will learn better from you than any other person, good or bad, whether you like it or not. So there is the challenge. Teach your children the gospel of Jesus Christ by word and example. And its impact will go further than anyone else. For some tips, on how to teach as a parent, Elder Bednar gave an incredible talk on this matter at
http://lds.org/ensign/2010/05/watching-with-all-perseverance?lang=eng .
Official Holidays & Observances This Week
May 2nd through 8th
Monday National Play Your Ukulele Day
Tuesday Paranormal Day
Wednesday Star Wars Day
Thursday Cinco De Mayo
Friday Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Saturday Astronomy Day
Sunday Mother’s Day
So I decided to ask my students. I anonymously surveyed my 150 students and asked them a simple question: “Who has the greatest influence in your life for good?” I figured their valiant seminary teacher would get a few votes, considering how many hours I taught them the gospel each week (and I was the one giving the survey). Not even close! The number one response of these 150 students, by far, was “Mom” and in a close second place, “Dad”. Some form of parent took 60% of the responses. Next, Grandma or Grandpa. Then came some other form of family member such as siblings, uncle or aunts… Ten percent went to Coaches, Scoutmasters, YM or YW leaders, Bishops, Seminary teachers. And then finally 5% said their friends were their greatest influence for good. So parents, you have a greater influence than you know, or than your kids might let you know.
The scriptures say the same thing. It wasn’t the words of the angel that changed Alma the Younger. When he was suffering for all his sins, it was the words that he had heard his father speak about the Savior that came back to his mind at that critical moment (Alma 36:17). When Enos’ soul hungered from the emptiness of the world, it was the words of his father that came back to his mind (Enos 1:3-4). Same with the Stripling Warriors and their mothers (Alma 56:47-48). It was the faith of Timothy’s mother and grandmother that brought him the knowledge of the Lord (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). And the list goes on and on of parent’s teaching their children in the scriptures.
Parents, you many not feel like any great teacher, but your kids will learn better from you than any other person, good or bad, whether you like it or not. So there is the challenge. Teach your children the gospel of Jesus Christ by word and example. And its impact will go further than anyone else. For some tips, on how to teach as a parent, Elder Bednar gave an incredible talk on this matter at
http://lds.org/ensign/2010/05/watching-with-all-perseverance?lang=eng .
Official Holidays & Observances This Week
May 2nd through 8th
Monday National Play Your Ukulele Day
Tuesday Paranormal Day
Wednesday Star Wars Day
Thursday Cinco De Mayo
Friday Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Saturday Astronomy Day
Sunday Mother’s Day
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