This is the second part in a 4-part series on creating a stronger family, from Randall Wright’s Education Week class at BYU–August 2008. A few of these tips are focused more on older children (teen/pre-teen) but I can testify that it is much smarter to start thinking about these things earlier rather than later. The first 5 ideas can be found here.
Day 2 – 5 Ideas to Help You Protect Your Family in an Immoral World
Bro. Wright began the second day’s lecture with this:
“You know what’s wrong with America? It’s the teachers.
The teachers are afraid of the principles, who are afraid of the superintendants, who are afraid of the school board, who are afraid of the parents, who are afraid of the kids, who are afraid of nothing!”
He reminded us to “fire the big cannons” when the problem is not huge yet.
6) Persuasion
Doctrine and Covenants 121:41,42 – No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile.
Look at the Kennedys and the Bush’s—no matter whose party you agree with, you have to admit that they must be good at persuading their kids to their party. Neither one has “lost” one of their kids to the other side. Haha!
In my opinion, the best way to persuade is by example, not only in what you do, but in the attitude you have about what you’re doing.
7) Indoctrinate (to instruct in a doctrine or ideology)
Teach your children the gospel, or they will be indoctrinated in the world’s doctrines. Teach them that so much of what the world teaches is a lie. This can’t be done every now and then. It has to be a huge part of your family’s and your individual children’s lives, so it is a part of them/you.
8) Establish dating rules in line with prophets
Some things are not age-appropriate (just because a 2 year old is not ready for mascara doesn’t mean it’s bad)
Why is there a legal driving age? Same reason that there’s a minimum dating age recommended by the church. It’s an issue of age-appropriateness—younger teens aren’t ready for it.
What constitutes a date? Define it! Pairing off=dating.
President Kimball said that steady dating leads to the majority of sins in our young people. President Hinckley said that steady dating is ok when you’re ready to think of marriage.
9) Don’t watch R-rated movies
“The mind through which filth passes is never the same afterwards. “ –Ezra Taft Benson
The more R-rated movies watched per year, the more swearing, more willingness to have sex, etc.
10) Monitor your children’s friends very closely—know your children’s friends!
“Chose your friends carefully. You should be friendly with all people, but select with great care those you keep close to you and spend your time with.” –Gordon B Hinckley
Open your homes to the friends of your children. Make your children’s friends your friends. –President Hinckley
© 2008, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
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