My patriarchal blessing instructs me to teach my children the gospel and prepare them for their Heavenly Home. I know that it is important to teach them the truths of the gospel and I find joy and satisfaction in doing so.
I find powerful examples of this important principle in the Book of Mormon. The very first verse of the Book of Mormon highlights the importance of teaching our children and of the children's responsibility to open their heart to the righteous teachings of their parents.
1 Nephi 1:1 says, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."
We should not lose the significance of this first verse. Nephi knew of the goodness of his parents. He knew this because of the example they had set all of their lives. He knew this because of the things that they had taught him and as he experimented on their words and sought confirmation from God of the truthfulness of their teachings, he gained a knowledge of their truthfulness.
Another similar scriptural example is Enos 1:1, which says, "Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—". Is it not significant that this prophet also starts off by making a reference to his father and the things he had taught him pertaining to the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
If we do not teach our children, how will they know the truthfulness of the gospel? They will never know it on the same level they would if they were taught by their parents.
The most important truths we can teach are children are the Plan of Salvation that our Heavenly Father has prepared for us, and which we agreed to follow before coming to this earth. Central to this plan is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We must teach them about the fall of Adam, spiritual rebirth through repentance and baptism, the atonement, the resurrection, the final judgement of our souls and the eternal consequences of the decisions we make in this life.
There are other powerful examples in the Book of Mormon that illustrate the effects of righteous parents on the rising generation. A couple of these examples include Alma and his son Alma the younger and the 2,000 stripling warriors who were taught by their mothers.
My own parents have taught me many things from the scriptures and the words of the living prophets about the Plan of Salvation. They are truly goodly parents. I am so thankful for the things they have taught me that gave me the foundation I needed to go forth and find things out for myself through living the principles of the gospel, experimenting upon the word and the confirmation of the Holy Ghost.
This week I have taken some opportunities to teach my oldest son some of the truths of the gospel. I taught him about work, service and self-reliance. I feel joy and a sense of accomplishment for passing this knowledge on to him.
I am far from being a perfect father, but as I continue to teach my sons the truths of the gospel I hope to plant seeds in their hearts that will grow and produce spiritual fruit in them as they mature.
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