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?
You have to really respect what your kids are doing with their kids and how they're raising them. You can't push your way into areas where you shouldn't be saying anything. You have to always remember they're not your own kids. Play with them, love them, spoil them to death - then hand them back.
At some point it's very important to me that my daughter is able to experience life and run through the sprinklers and have slumber parties and trust and live and do all the things that any child should be able to do.
There's no perfection in family life, and certainly we aren't perfect, but we're probably about as close as we can be.
What do most people say on their deathbed? They don't say, 'I wish I'd made more money.' What they say is, 'I wish I'd spent more time with my family and done more for society or my community.'
I watched my parents' fame diminish - as I was getting more conscious, their celebrity was going back down the mountain.
The babe at first feeds upon the mother's bosom, but it is always on her heart.
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