Family ResponsibilitiesSermoncitos, a family tradition
Fostering an Eternal Family
Last night I was changing clocks because of the return to standard time, except the clock beside my bed. Like the cell phone and the computer, it is tuned into a standard that is broadcast by satellite. I don’t have to adjust it, I just rely upon it to be correct. I awoke based on my internal clock and found that I had an extra hour this morning to ponder my role as branch president. I concluded that I should be teaching principles that will bring families to the temple. I also concluded that there is not much I can really do to help families except show them how to tune in to the Spirit. Then, each family and each individual must make their own choices. If they make choices based on the Plan of Happiness, then they will qualify for the constant companionship of the Spirit of peace and truth.
When members come to the branch president with problems, a gospel solution can often be found. If it is a financial problem I can pay the rent or do a food order then teach the law of tithing. If they have yielded to the inticings of the devil, I can guide their repentance and teach the law of chastity. If it concerns wayward children or feuding siblings I can pray with them and teach love, the great commandment that includes forgiveness and patience. If I have caused offense, then I can ask forgiveness and teach that judgement is the Lord’s. However, I cannot be in the home when the family gathers for prayers. I cannot supervise the stories and readings and lessons daily shared in the home. I cannot engage in the interactions between parents and children, nor facilitate children spending time working with their grandparents. I can’t be with the family as they work, travel, or play together. I can offer each an opportunity to serve in a church calling, but I can’t bring families to the church every Sunday. I can come to church early and stay late, but I can’t schedule each family’s Sunday so they have time to talk to the branch president about their callings and their families.
Jesus was limited in his time on the earth. He scheduled meetings, taught the gospel, called ministers to continue the instruction, and expected each individual to make choices that would strengthen and teach their families. Then he was caught up in the turmoil of the times, and his followers had to rely upon each other and their families to endure the hardships of life. My ancestors chose to leave the oppression and persecution of Europe and the eastern states to seek a place of peace and security in the mountain west. There they needed the strength of their families to survive the harsh environments. The Navajo maintained a strong and united resistance to this invasion until a school system was established to diffuse the power of families. Now we must work hard to restore families to their role in raising children and strengthening one another.
My father learned from his grandfather and father as he worked beside them chopping firewood or tending the orchard. However, it was different for me. My father left for work early in the morning bringing his razor and church clothes, because he had duties in the evening. I interacted with him by getting up early for family prayers before he left, by gathering around the kitchen table for daily family meals with conversation, by traveling with him to job sites or vacations, and by weekly family home evening lessons. I gathered my children for a nightly devotional before prayers at night and by reading to them. Now I follow my father’s example by composing a weekly sermon, by which I intend to continue teaching my children and their children those correct principles which will help them tune in to choices that bring peace and happiness. Take time to teach your family and help them interact with grandparents and church leaders.
Satan knows how important families are to our Heavenly Father’s plan.
He seeks to destroy them by keeping us from drawing near to the Lord.
He will tempt us to do things that will draw our families apart.
All of us want to have happy, successful families.
The following things will help us achieve this:
1. Have family prayer every night and morning
(3 Nephi 18:21)
2. Teach children the gospel by meeting together as a family at least once a week to study gospel principles.
3. Do things together as a family, such as work projects, outings, and decision making
4. Kneel together as husband and wife each night in prayer.
5. Learn to be kind, patient, long-suffering, and charitable
6. Attend church meeting regularly
7. Follow the counsel of the Lord in D&C 88:119.
“Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing;
and establish a house, even a house of prayer,
a house of fasting,
a house of faith,
a house of learning,
a house of glory,
a house of order,
a house of God.
8. Keep a family history and gather family genealogy.
The family is the most important unit in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Church exists to help families gain eternal blessings and exaltation.
The organizations and programs within the Church are designed to strengthen us individually and help us live as families forever.
Family Responsibilities
My cell phone is tuned in to a satellite broadcast network. I can just reach into my pocket and get the time, or call and talk to any of you, as long as I keep the batteries charged and pay my monthly fee. Since his youth, my father had a very fine, high quality pocket watch. He could reach into his pocket and get the correct time as long as he remembered to wind the spring. We check the time, because we have so many responsibilities. There is one job that is more important than all.
“The most important of the Lord’s work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home” (President Harold B. Lee). Satan knows how important families are to our Heavenly Father’s plan. He seeks to destroy them by keeping us from drawing near to the Lord. He will tempt us to do things that will draw our families apart. Each member of the family must do their part so that all may live together as a family forever. Whether your family is all under the same roof, or you are living in different homes, your responsibilities continue. Take time for your family.
We can't be with our family all the time, but we can accept roles and responsibilities. Both parents are equally responsible for the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the family. My mother was at home and available to each of us at any time. She worked and played with us and kept the home a pleasant place to be. I knew that my mother believed in the Atonement and Resurrection and the Restoration of the Gospel (Alma 5:48) and that she loved me. Whether mothering their own children, other people's children, or grandchildren, women have roles that men can't fulfill to the same degree. My father's watch reminds me to take time, but my mother's afghan comforts me.
My father learned from his grandfather and father as he spent time beside them chopping firewood or tending the orchard. However, it was different for me. My father left for work early in the morning bringing his razor and church clothes, because he had duties in the evening. I spent time with him by getting up early for family prayers before he left, by gathering around the kitchen table for daily family meals with conversation, by traveling with him to job sites or vacations, and by weekly family home evening lessons. I traveled or worked late while my children were young, so I had to work hard to find time to teach them the Gospel. I gathered my children for a nightly devotional before prayers at night and read to them. Since everyone moved away, I have tried to find a role with my children and their children. So, I follow my father’s example by spending time on a weekly sermon, by which I try to teach my children and their children those correct principles which will help them tune in to choices that bring peace and happiness ( http://www.cantos.org/sermoncitos/ ). I also take time to create video remembrances for my grandchildren, or take them fishing ( http://www.cantos.org/fishing ).
When I ponder my potential role with my children and their children I shed many tears as I realize that I should take time to teach principles that will bring their families to the temple. I also realize that there is not much I can really do to help their families except show them how to tune in to the Spirit. Then, each family and each individual must make their own choices. If they make choices based on the Plan of Happiness, then they will qualify for the constant companionship of the Spirit of peace and truth.
Children must accept roles in the family. They must not quarrel with each other (Mosiah 4:14). They must love, honor, respect, and obey their parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1). They can take time to be with their parents and siblings for chores, fun, or just staying in touch across time and space.
I love you, and admonish you to take time to wind your clock, check your batteries, and help your family stay in tune with eternal principles of peace and happiness, wherever they may be.