Current Lesson No. Thirteen

Raising Children in a Wicked World

In today’s world our children are exposed to many false and evil ideas and philosophies – This begins even before they are 8 years old and it increases as they grow older.  It happens in many ways including, at home, at school, with friends, in the media, and in social networks.

Question: What can be done about it?  Answer:  Responsible parenting makes all the difference. 

Underage drinking is an excellent example of the need for parental involvement – During my tenure as chairman of the Utah Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, medical science proved that alcohol can cause permanent damage to a teen’s developing brain. We determined our best response to this very serious threat was to educate the public, particularly parents.  To do this we secured annual funding from the Utah Legislature of approximately $2,000,000 a year.  This amount increases as alcohol sales increase, which sadly they do.  This money funds, a massive educational campaign entitled “Parent Empowered”.  (See parentsempowered.org)

“Parents Empowered” educates about the risk of underage drinking and the importance of active parent involvement in the lives of their children.  Studies show that the best deterrent for underage drinking is parent disapproval.  Certainly, any underage drinking is too much, but the success of "Parents Empowered" is one good reason that underage drinking in Utah is one-half of the national average.    

Responsible parents know what their children are being taught and exposed to – In 1986 when I was chairman of the Utah Republican Party, William J. Bennett, who was Secretary of Education in President Ronald Reagan’s cabinet, asked me to arrange a meeting with the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  President Gordon B. Hinckley, then First Councilor in the First Presidency, was available to meet during Secretary Bennett’s visit to Salt Lake City.  President Hinckley, Secretary Bennett, and myself met for almost an hour in President Hinckley’s office.

In this meeting Secretary Bennett showed President Hinckley a US history text book that was widely used in our country.  This text book defined pilgrims “as people who take long trips.”  While this definition is technically accurate (the first part of the definition of a pilgrim in my internet dictionary is “a person who journeys, especially a long distance…”) it is misleading because of what it does not say.  It does not teach the essential truths about the Pilgrims and why they settled our nation. 

President Hinckley made it clear that it is the responsibility of parents to know what their children are taught, and to correct/clarify any falsehoods or misinformation that the world exposes them to.

Responsible parents correct false and misleading information their children are exposed to – In October 1969 General Conference President Spencer W. Kimball spoke of his visit behind the Berlin Wall.  He asked members of the Church how they protected their children who “were taught pernicious doctrines promulgated every day in the schools and otherwise…The answer was unmistakable:  ‘We mend the damaged reservoir every night’ they said.  ‘We teach our children positive righteousness so that the false philosophies do not take hold, and should they have taken lodgment in the day we dislodge them at night.  Our children are growing up in faith and righteousness in spite of the overwhelming pressures from outside.’”

President Kimball concluded: “reiterated truth, renewed prayer, gospel teachings, a flood of love and parental interest can save the child and keep him on the right path.”

Parents are commanded to bring up their children light and truth – Joseph Smith and other early leaders of the Church were commanded to set their families in order and “to bring up your children in light and truth” (D&C 93:40-48).  The Lord concluded by applying this commandment to all parents – “What I say unto one I say unto all” (D&C 93:49).

The Lord will guide and bless parents who strive to bring up their children in light and truth – In the Book of Mormon Nephi said: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7).

The Lord promises that He will guide and bless parents who strive to teach their children light and truth by precept and example.