October 2009 VT Message: Nurture the Rising Generation

This months visit teaching message was "Nurture the Rising Generation".  This is a very important topic to me, since I have children of my own and I serve in our wards primary presidency.  My favorite quote from the article was from President Gordon B. Hinkley, "Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. … Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried” (“Words of the Living Prophet,” Liahona, May 1998, 26–27; “Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, July 1997, 73).  I think it is great to just have a reminder that our children are in fact Heavenly Father's children.  I think it help us to be better parents knowing that we are going to be held accountable for the things we do and the way we teach our children.  I also believe that we have a responsiblity not only for the nurturing of our own children, but of all children.  I liked what Sister Barbara Thompson says, "Sometimes a Young Women leader or a Primary teacher says or does just the thing that is needed to reinforce what a parent is trying to teach. And obviously we don’t need any particular calling to reach out to a friend or neighbor” (“I Will Strengthen Thee; I Will Help Thee,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 117).  We never know when something we say or the way we act will effect a child who looks up to us.