Parenting

Additional Information

Good parenting, while very challenging at times, offers great potential for happiness. Parents can experience great joy by building a strong, loving home environment and teaching gospel principles, which can help their children lead righteous, happy, and productive lives. (See 3 John 1:4.)

The Lord has commanded parents to “bring up [their] children in light and truth” (D&C 93:40). This includes teaching them to understand the doctrines of faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 68:25) and to love their Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This teaching should take place primarily in the home, with Church classes and programs supplementing and supporting parents' efforts.

Parents can teach their children formally during family home evening and other family gatherings, such as daily family prayer and scripture study or at mealtimes. Teaching opportunities also come in unplanned moments as parents and children spend time working and playing together. Whatever the setting, the Lord will guide parents as they prayerfully seek to rear their children in love and righteousness.

Church Magazine Articles

• “Teach the Children”

  An address given at a Brigham Young University Education Week devotional on 17 August 1999. It is important to teach the gospel and life’s lessons to children and youth.

• “Being a Righteous Husband and Father”

• ““Therefore I Was Taught””

• “Helping Children Hear the Still, Small Voice”

  Parents can help children recognize and cherish spiritual feelings.

• “To the Fathers in Israel”

• “Parenting: Everything to Do with the Heart”

  This is an edited version of the talk given by Sister Holland at the parents’ fireside broadcast from Temple Square 27 January 1985.

• “Enriching Family Life”

• “Teaching Our Children to Love the Scriptures”

  Through the guidance of loving parents and dedicated teachers, small children can become familiar with the scriptures and the spirit that accompanies them.

• “Teach the Children”

  Children learn through gentle direction and persuasive teaching. They search for models to imitate, knowledge to acquire, things to do, and teachers to please.

• ““Because She Is a Mother””

  If you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do.

• “Caring for the Souls of Children”

  Tell your children that you love them and that you are so happy to have them in your family. Prepare yourselves spiritually to receive the guidance through the Holy Ghost.

• “When Our Children Go Astray”

  Parents of wayward children can find guidance and strength in gospel teachings.

• “Once Children Grow Up”

  Parents are often perplexed about how much responsibility they have for young adult children, particularly errant children, and about how best to help them.