Defending our Faith

"This generation will be called upon to defend the doctrine of the family as never before. If they don’t know the doctrine, they can’t defend it." -Sister Julie B. Beck

As a mother of four teenagers, I have come to tolerate and even love their strong, stubborn personalities. I didn't at first, but one day I realized how important they were for standing for what they believe...in a world of declining morals. Living in southern California, during the Prop 8 election, was not easy on them. My oldest son, who was in high school, was constantly being called out by fellow students and even teachers, because of his beliefs. It would have been easier to keep quiet, but that wouldn't have been Braiden. With kindness and compassion he let people know what he believed and why. He felt confident in his knowledge of gospel principles and had a strong testimony that these things were true.

We read in the proclamation, "Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations." Although important, it is not enough to simply provide for the physical needs of our children. We must teach them to pray, to read the scriptures, to follow the commandments, to serve others, and to love the Lord. We must teach them the gospel...so that they can defend it!