So I have been in need of a parenting manual for a while now, and I tried one self help book that a friend gave me but it was insufficient for my needs. So lately as I have been reading the scriptures and other articles I have been more keenly aware of the parenting advice that the Lord has given to us in the scriptures.
Much of this may seem obvious to you, but for me it took my particular current situation to have the "Ah hah" understanding of these scriptures in this way. I'll start with the most recent passage that I have read. Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-46. Of course the obvious context of this passage is regarding the priesthood, however it is extremely applicable to parenting too. I have inserted parenting into the verses to apply to me: "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of 'parenting', 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." So there is my first list of things that I need to work on. This pregnancy has been easy and harder at the same time. Easier-because I haven't had almost any morning sickness, harder- because I have been short tempered and cranky. I'm also hoping that the latter is really a symptom of pregnancy. I find myself in greater need of Heavenly strength and patience than ever. And I guess that's why what I read in Moroni 8 was so poignant, specifically verses 8-26. These verses on the surface speak specifically to the doctrine of infant baptism. However, at a deeper level, it completely applies to me as a parent and my expectations of my children. How I need to focus more on acknowledging my mistakes and seeking forgiveness from my Savior and others for my misdeeds. Verse 8: "...wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me (Jesus), that it hath no power over them..." I think often I am too hard on my children, or that my expectations aren't necessarily appropriate. I need to be more understanding that they will constantly make mistakes, but that they are not serious, just a matter of learning. Whereas, my mistakes are serious as I have the knowledge and experience to know better. Mormon continues in verse 10: "...yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children." It is I who must repent, and I have already been baptized, but each week I need to renew those baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament. And somehow I need to make more of an effort toward renewing that covenant. As I attend church in Spanish right now because of my husband's calling, but don't speak Spanish, I have almost forgotten the covenants that I am renewing. I partake of the sacrament, but my mind is far from it because I am not hearing the words of the prayers.
Mormon answers my "how?" question that accompanies my "to become list" from D & C 121 in Moroni 8:26. As I repent and renew/keep my baptismal covenants "the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God."
