Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the sacred duty of parents according to Elder Uchtdorf?
- How does Jesus Christ support parents in their role?
- Why is a parent's love for their child considered a unique qualification in guiding and teaching them?
- What are some of the resources the Church provides to help parents and children make righteous choices?
- How does Elder Uchtdorf describe the process of building faith in a child?
Topics
Understanding the Sacred Duty of Parents
Elder Uchtdorf discusses the sacred duty of parents to rear their children in love and righteousness, and to provide for their physical and spiritual needs. He emphasizes that parents have a critical role in shaping their children’s understanding of life, love, God, and His plan.
God has given parents the “sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to … observe the commandments of God.”
Accept this privilege and responsibility courageously and joyfully. Don’t delegate this source of heavenly blessings to anyone else.
- What is the sacred duty of parents according to Elder Uchtdorf?
- Why is it important for parents to accept this responsibility courageously and joyfully?
- How can you apply the principle of rearing your children in love and righteousness in your own family?
- What can you do to ensure you are not delegating this sacred duty to anyone else?
Recognizing the Power of Parental Love
Elder Uchtdorf highlights the unique qualification that parents have in guiding their children - their love for them. He explains that a parent's love for their child is one of the strongest forces in the universe and can be eternal. He also discusses how the Savior can heal and multiply the love and joy in homes.
A parent’s love for a child is one of the strongest forces in the universe. It’s one of the few things on this earth that can truly be eternal.
He heals the sick, and He can heal relationships. He multiplies bread and fish, and He can multiply the love and the joy in your home.
- Why is a parent's love for their child considered a unique qualification in guiding and teaching them?
- How can the Savior multiply the love and joy in homes?
- How can you cultivate and demonstrate your love for your children in your daily interactions?
- How can you invite the Savior to multiply the love and joy in your home?
Maximizing the Influence of Small and Simple Efforts
Elder Uchtdorf discusses the importance of parents being the most constant, steady influence in their children's lives. He emphasizes that small and simple efforts, like home evening or gospel conversations, can bring about great things in a child's life.
But remember that “by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” One home evening, one gospel conversation, or one good example may not change your child’s life in a moment, any more than one drop of rain causes a plant immediately to grow.
That is the Lord’s way. He speaks to you and your child with a still, small voice, not a voice of thunder.
- Why is it important for parents to be the most constant, steady influence in their children's lives?
- How can small and simple efforts bring about great things in a child's life?
- What small and simple efforts can you make to influence your child's life?
- How can you ensure that you are a constant, steady influence in your child's life?
Receiving Personal Revelation as Parents
Elder Uchtdorf talks about the gift of personal revelation that God is eager to pour out on parents. He explains that through prayer and sensitivity to the Spirit, parents can receive guidance and insights about their children's needs, strengths, and concerns.
As you are prayerful and sensitive to the Spirit, He will warn you of hidden dangers. He will reveal your children’s gifts, their strengths, and their unspoken concerns.
With God’s help, you can learn to know your children in a pure and heavenly way.
- How can parents receive personal revelation about their children?
- Why is it important for parents to be prayerful and sensitive to the Spirit?
- How can you cultivate a more prayerful attitude and sensitivity to the Spirit in your parenting?
- How have you experienced personal revelation in your role as a parent?
Experiencing a Mighty Change of Heart
Elder Uchtdorf discusses the importance of parents experiencing a "mighty change" of heart through Jesus Christ. He explains that through the Savior's grace, parents can develop more of the attributes they need, such as love, patience, faith, and courage.
Fortunately, there is a divine source of help for parents: It is Jesus Christ. He is the source of our mighty change of heart.
Through the Savior’s grace, little by little, you’ll develop more of the attributes parents need: love for God and His children, patience, selflessness, faith in Christ, and courage to make righteous choices.
- What does it mean to experience a "mighty change" of heart?
- How can Jesus Christ help parents develop the attributes they need?
- In what ways do you need to experience a "mighty change" of heart in your role as a parent?
- How can you rely on the Savior's grace to develop more of the attributes you need as a parent?
