13
October 2018
Dear Parents of the Mount Hood Oregon Stake,
In the beginning God commanded parents to teach their children the
gospel of Jesus Christ (see Moses 5:12). It is a commandment that is integral
to the Lord’s Plan and has never been rescinded (see Deuteronomy 6:7, 11:19; 3
Nephi 18:21, D&C 68:25-31).
We commend all who have accepted this sacred responsibility to
teach their children the gospel in the home. Prophets have declared there is no
other work more important.
The Church’s
role, as
explained in Handbook 2:1.1.5, is to assist parents or guardians in two ways:
(1) provide guidance on gospel instruction for the home; and (2) provide
priesthood ordinances so children can make and keep sacred covenants from God.
The parents’
role is “to
bring [their children]” (D&C 20:70) to priesthood leaders prepared to receive
the saving ordinances and enjoy all the blessings of the gospel (see Handbook
2:1.3.1).
In consequence of this direction, the Stake Presidency asks all parents with children in the home to strengthen the rising generation in two
ways:
· PREPARE THEM FOR ORDINANCES: Take responsibility in the home of preparing
children for the saving ordinances and milestone events in each of their
spiritual journeys, including baptism, entering the Young Women program, priesthood
ordinations, making temple covenants, and serving a full-time mission, if
called.
· TEACH THEM TO SERVE: More valuable than the worthy pursuits of sports, music, drama, dance,
etc., is the divine attribute of service. This can be learned through service in
the home, community service, sharing the gospel with friends, fulfilling ministering
assignments, and becoming engaged in temple and family history work as well as in
classroom instruction at church.
The following are suggestions on how parents can help the rising
generation in these two ways. Please counsel together as a family on how to
embrace this direction and receive all the blessings of “children of the
covenant” (3 Nephi 20:26).
With love and
admiration,
Stake Presidency
What Parents Can Teach to Prepare Their Children to Receive the
Saving Ordinances
Here
are some teachings and resources parents can use to prepare their children during the 12 months before they reach the age to receive the
saving ordinances and enjoy milestone events.
We remind parents
these teachings should not require additional meetings, but are best shared in
Family Home Evening with the entire family.
PREPARING FOR BAPTISM
·
Why does
the Lord require us to be baptized by immersion? (D&C 20:10)
·
What is
the baptismal covenant? (D&C 20:75, Mosiah 18:8-10)
·
What
are ordinances and covenants? (Preach My Gospel, pp. 12, 13)
·
What
does it mean to be accountable for our sins? (D&C 29:10)
·
What
does it mean to repent and how can the Gift of the Holy Ghost help us? (2 Nephi
31:2)
Additional Resources: Preach
My Gospel, chapter 12 • “Helping Children Prepare for Baptism,” Ensign,
April 2013 • “I Can Prepare for Baptism,” Lesson 12, Primary manual available
online • search on www.lds.org
for “Prepare children for baptism”
PREPARING FOR ORDINATION TO THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
·
Review
regularly together the “Faith in God” booklet for boys
·
How was
the Aaronic Priesthood restored? (D&C 13; 107:20; JSH 1:68-73)
·
What
are the duties of a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood? (D&C 20:57-60)
·
What does
it mean to do your duty? (“Faith in God,” Fulfilling
My Duty to God: For Aaronic Priesthood Holders, page 7)
·
What
are the expectations of a new Deacon? (visit with Deacons Quorum Presidency)
·
Why is
education so important and how can it prepare you for your future? (D&C
88:77-80; 88:118; 130:19)
·
What is
the difference between power and authority of the Priesthood? (search
www.lds.org )
Additional Resources: True
to the Faith: Aaronic Priesthood • search www.lds.org for “Aaronic Priesthood” • search for
“Aaronic Priesthood Leader Traiing” • For
the Strength of Youth
PREPARING TO ENTER THE YOUNG WOMEN’S PROGRAM
·
Study
the Articles of Faith and identify how each can be applied in your life
·
Invite
the Beehive Class presidency to your home to explain the purpose and importance
of the YW program
·
Write
in your journal how you can “stand for truth and righteousness”
·
Discuss
with your family how education will prepare you for your future (D&C
88:77-80; 130:19)
·
Review
the Family Proclamation and discuss ways youth can strengthen the family
·
Memorize
the Young Women Theme and discuss the values
Additional Resources: True
to the Faith: Young Women • search www.lds.org for “Young Women” • For the Strength of Youth • video in LDS Media Library titled “A
Bright Light for Generations”
PREPARING TO BE ORDAINED TO THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
·
What is
the difference between the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood? (D&C
107:1-20)
·
What
are keys of the priesthood and what is their purpose? (Handbook 2:2.1.1)
·
What is
the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood? (D&C 84:33-44)
·
What
are the duties of an elder and the purposes of a quorum? (D&C 20:42-45;
124:137)
·
What is
the purpose of ordinances and blessings and how are they to be performed?
(Handbook 2:2.1.2; Handbook 2: Chapter 20)
Additional Resources: Gospel
Principles, Chapters 13-14 • True to
the Faith, “Melchizedek Priesthood” • Handbook 2: Chapter 7, “Melchizedek
Priesthood” • Gospel Topics on www.lds.org, “Priesthood” and “Melchizedek Priesthood”
PREPARING TO MAKE COVENANTS IN THE TEMPLE
·
What is
the Plan of Salvation and how do we fit in? (Preach My Gospel, Section 3,
Lesson 2)
·
Why is there a standard of worthiness to enter the temple? (1
Nephi 15:34; Moroni 10:32-33)
·
What
are the worthiness requirements? (Endowed From On High, chapter 2)
·
What is
the Work of Salvation and how does the temple fit in? (Handbook 2:5.4)
·
What
are the blessings of making temple covenants? (Endowed From On High, chapter 3)
·
Why
does the Lord use ordinances and covenants? (Endowed From On High, chapter 4)
·
What
role does symbolism play in temple ordinances? (Endowed From On High, chapter
5)
·
How do
we best prepare to enter the temple? (Endowed From On High, chapter 6)
·
How do
we gain the most out of our temple experience? (Endowed From On High, chapter
7)
Additional Resources: Preparing
to Enter the Holy Temple booklet • For
the Strength of Youth • www.lds.org/temples • “Preparing to Enter the House of the
Lord,” by Elder Kent F. Richards, Ensign,
July 2015; “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” by President Russell M.
Nelson, April 2001 General Conference
PREPARING TO SERVE A MISSION, IF CALLED
·
Why
does the Lord need missionaries? (2 Nephi 2:8)
·
What
are the purposes of teaching missionaries? (PMG, Chapter 1; D&C 123:12)
·
What
does it mean to teach by the Spirit? (PMG, p3)
·
What
are characteristics of effective missionaries? (Alma 17:3, 9; D&C 35:13-14)
·
Why are
missionaries endowed in the temple before they depart? (D&C 109:22)
Additional Resources: Preach My Gospel; Missionary Portal at www.missionary.lds.org • www.lds.org/callings/missionary, especially Frequently Asked Questions and
Manuals
Suggestions for Strengthening
the Family
Ideas on how everyone can help strengthen the rising generation
PARENTS /
GUARDIANS
·
Be an example by living the gospel in the home.
·
Teach children the essential doctrines of the gospel found in
Chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel.
·
Help children apply gospel principles in their lives, especially
faith, repentance and forgiveness.
·
Consistently hold daily family prayer and family scripture study.
·
Teach children to hold their own daily personal prayer and
personal scripture study.
·
Provide opportunities for all family members to bear testimony in
the home.
·
Teach children the importance of the Sabbath Day and hold weekly
Family Home Evening.
·
Each week teach your family from “Come Follow Me — For Individuals
and Families.”
·
Counsel with the bishop on how to prepare your children for: (1) baptism,
(2) to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, (3) to be ordained to the priesthood
or advance to the Young Women program, (4) to make temple covenants and (5) to serve
a mission.
·
Seek the Lord’s guidance on what more He wants you to do to prepare
each of your children to enjoy all the blessings of the gospel and to receive
eternal life.
YOUTH AND CHILDREN
·
Allow your parents/guardians to teach you—listen to them and
follow their righteous example.
·
Be supportive of family prayer, family scripture study and Family
Home Evening.
·
Establish your own righteous routines of daily personal prayer and
personal scripture study.
·
Receive a patriarchal blessing.
·
When in high school, consistently participate in Seminary.
·
Participate in the approved program for your age, such as Faith in
God, Personal Progress, etc.
·
Seek the Lord’s guidance daily in how to serve and bless others.
·
Participate in family history research and temple ordinances.
GRANDPARENTS AND
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS
·
Set a righteous example by, among other things, share your testimony
with your family.
·
Serve in the temple and/or serve a support or service mission.
·
Fast and pray for family members.
·
Continue to hold daily family and/or personal prayer and scripture
study.
·
Study and share what you learn from “Come Follow Me — For Individuals
and Families.”
·
Guide and assist your family in temple and family history work.
CHURCH LEADERS
·
Encourage members to be supportive of all efforts to strengthen
the rising generation.
·
Where children are not being taught the gospel in the home, assign
ministering brothers, sisters or couples to assist in that effort—with permission
from the parents or guardians.
·
Use the classroom to support parents’ efforts to teach the gospel
in the home.
·
Counsel regularly with parents on what more Church leaders and
teachers can do to support their efforts to bless and help their children
prepare for ordinances and milestone events.
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