a word on kids and teaching doctrine

Does everyone have a "favorite apostle"?... one that seems to talk directly to our heart and mind?... one that, more often than not, seems to say exactly what we need to hear? In the days of my youth (which sometimes I think I am still in), Neal A. Maxwell was my fav. President Eyring now fills that seat at my table. In searching for New Testament doctrine re: the Resurrection today, I stumbled upon this powerful talk entitled The Power of Teaching Doctrine
Some of my favorite exerpts were as follows:

…Simply hearing the words of doctrine can plant the seed of faith in the heart. And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit

…Your descendants will teach doctrine to each other because you taught it.

…A wise parent would never miss a chance to gather children together to learn of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Such moments are so rare in comparison with the efforts of the enemy. For every hour the power of doctrine is introduced into a child’s life, there may be hundreds of hours of messages and images denying or ignoring the saving truths.
The question should not be whether we are too tired to prepare to teach doctrine or whether it wouldn’t be better to draw a child closer by just having fun or whether the child isn’t beginning to think that we preach too much. The question must be, “With so little time and so few opportunities, what words of doctrine from me will fortify them against the attacks on their faith which are sure to come?” The words you speak today may be the ones they remember. And today will soon be gone.

...In my own family there is a story of a young woman who had the courage to start to teach doctrine when she was only a new convert with little education. And the fact that the effects of her teaching haven’t ended gives me patience to wait for the fruits of my own efforts.
[followed by the story of Mary Bommeli]

May we all seize the moment to teach the simple truths that bring us so much joy when lived.

I know that the true Church was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. God's authority to seal us His exists in His Church - even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. May all come unto Christ through the principles and ordinances of His gospel, that we may prepare the earth for His coming.


photo found at byustephen's flickr page