Lessons from the Doctrine and Covenants 2021
Lesson No. Thirty-Four
Make It Your Family Tradition to Bring Up Your Children in Light and Truth - D&C 93
The Lord commanded the original First Presidency and the first Presiding Bishop of His Church to set their families in order and bring up their children in light and truth – “And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth….You have not taught your children light and truth according to the commandments; and that wicked one hath power, as yet, over you, and this is the cause of your affliction” (D&C 93:39-42). The Lord applied this commandment to all members of His Church when He said: “What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that the wicked one have power over you, and move you out of your place” (D&C 93:49).
Family traditions can be the best influence on children or they can be the worst – Righteous family traditions are the best ways to spend our time, energy, and resources. A child’s success in things that matter, and the ability and inclination to do good things throughout life come largely from righteous family traditions. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Unrighteous family traditions are of the devil, and are the cause of most problems in life.
Constructive family traditions are often passed from generation to generation – This principle is taught throughout the Book of Mormon. Nephi and Jacob accepted the teachings of their father Lehi, and their traditions of faith and obedience were passed on from generation to generation. Many latter day saints continue the constructive family traditions that were first started by their ancestors several generations back. These traditions include family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, priesthood blessings, attending tithing settlement as a family, father’s blessings, keeping the Sabbath day holy and worshiping together, serving missions, and temple marriage. They also include family chores and work responsibilities at home, and performing service to neighbors and to the community. Constructive family traditions include wholesome recreation and vacations.
Destructive family traditions are also often passed from generation to generation – Laman and Lemuel rejected the teachings of their father Lehi and their traditions of disbelief, wickedness, and hatred were passed on from generation to generation for hundreds of years. (See 4 Nephi 1:38-39) In our modern world, and throughout the earth, there are many examples of destructive family traditions being passed on from generation to generation.
The Family – A Proclamation to the World sets the standard the Lord expects in bringing up children in light and truth – This divinely inspired document teaches: “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live….Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded on the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
Have confidence in the future – It is easy to be pessimistic, but if we understand and live the gospel of Jesus Christ and raise our children in light and truth, we have great reason to be confident in the future. I believe in what President Boyd K. Packer taught: “The Book of Mormon makes it clear that we will never dominate by numbers. But we have the power of the priesthood….While it may be said…that we are but a handful in comparison with the world, yet we may be compared with the leaven of which the Savior spoke, which will eventually leaven (or lift) the whole world” (Ensign April 2010).