Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home.
Interpretation
Parenting plays a crucial role in shaping the values and happiness of society.
L. Tom Perry emphasizes that parents have a significant responsibility to nurture and guide their children through consistent, daily acts of love and education. He suggests that these small, everyday actions—like family prayers, meals, or time spent together—cultivate a positive environment that ultimately fosters the well-being of society as a whole, underscoring the profound impact of familial relationships on communal health and happiness.
In practice
In a speech on family values, one might say, 'As L. Tom Perry wisely noted, the health of any society begins at home.'
A good character is something you must make for yourself. It cannot be inherited from parents. It cannot be created by having extraordinary advantages. It isn't a gift of birth, wealth, talent or station. It is the result of your own endeavor. It is the reward that comes from living good principles and manifesting a virtuous and honorable life.
Today, I would like you to pause, ponder, and think of the value of an immortal soul, especially the ones entrusted to you as parents. Where are your priorities? Have you committed yourself to give the sufficient time necessary to train your children?
The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family.
World fertility surveys indicate that anywhere from one third to one half of the babies born in the Third World would not be if their mothers had access to cheap, reliable family planning, had enough personal empowerment to stand up to their husbands and relatives, and could choose their own family size.
Twenty years ago, I wrote a book called 'It Takes a Village.' And a lot of people looked at the title and asked, 'What the heck do you mean by that?' This is what I mean. None of us can raise a family, build a business, heal a community or lift a country totally alone.
I came back to work when my children were two months old. At that early age, they seem to have little awareness of anybody but their Raggedy Ann dolls, so it wasn't a matter of them missing me. I was missing them.
Compassion for our parents is the true sign of maturity.
I come from a family where the only emotion respectable to show is irritation. In some this tendency produces hives, in others literature, in me both.
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