"Ours is a day long foreseen. We live in the perilous times spoken of by the Apostle Paul. 'For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy' (2 Tim. 3:2). The Lord described the condition this way: 'They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world' (D&C 1:16).
"The world of our teenage children is far different from my teenage life of thirty years ago. Profanity, dishonesty, immorality, and irreverence all tower around them. The influences of the media and a world set on a course we cannot follow push against them. Much of the innocence so precious to youth has been lost.
"And yet, we should not be intimidated or overly alarmed. These events have all been foreseen. In this deteriorating situation, the kingdom of God will strengthen.... Nephi saw that the latter-day members of the Church 'were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory' (1 Ne. 14:14).
"Our challenge as parents is to prepare our homes so that our children might be 'armed with righteousness.' In the future, a discernable distinction of the true followers of Christ will be the heed and attention they give to the living prophets and Apostles. As our children listen to these men, they will find their way."
- Neil L. Andersen, "Teaching Our Children to Love the Prophets," Ensign, April 1996, pp. 44-47
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The scriptures have long warned about "perilous times" to come in latter days, and we sense the growing reality of that label. There is peril or danger of all kinds of negative influences that can impact our families, and ourselves.
In times of danger, doing things that help us avoid peril is critical; it's possible for us to be "armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory" even in this time, especially in this time.
Elder Andersen gives one great key: giving heed and attention to the living prophets and apostles. Those words are key: attention (listening as they speak, seeking out opportunities to listen and review instruction); and heed (carefully following the counsel).
Even though the enemy of Righteousness is doing his best to distract us and to make us feel like giving up.
ReplyDeleteOur Heavenly Father knows better, if we look to Him and devote our lives to His service then yes we can and will be successful. Our example of our faith in Almighty God will show them the way