Faith: Value Experience 2

Okay, last post for today.

Today I completed the second Faith Value Experience:

"Discover the principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman’s stripling warriors. Read Alma 56:45–48 and 57:21. Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see page 101) says about a mother’s role. With a mother, grandmother, or leader, discuss the qualities a woman needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths. How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother? Record your thoughts and feelings in your journal."

I talked to my mom and Cathy about this, and there was one major idea we discussed--ultimately, I think it's the single most important one. My journal entry here:

"I guess, to me, the biggest thing I need to do is strengthen my own faith and my own testimony. The most important teaching tool I will ever have with my own children is the example I set.


If I want my children to have faith as sure as that of the stripling warriors, to know that all I teach them is true, I need to make it a part of my own life, now. Before I have children.


It is important that I learn to lean on the Lord for guidance in my life decisions. I need to strengthen my faith of gospel principles and live them in my life so that I may know for myself they are true. I need to learn patience, and forgiveness, and charity, so that I may serve my children and show them an example of how the Savior sees them, and all of us.


I have to work on these things so that my children can look at me and see that all they are being taught is true. So when I tell them things, the weight of my example will help them understand and believe."

I also want to add something I just now understand from the example of the mothers of the stripling warriors. Aside from their examples convincing the sons that what they were saying was truth, living the words they taught showed their sons that they knew it was true. The stripling warriors knew it was true because their mothers knew it was true. It is amazing how much influence mothers have on their children. I know in my own life, I depend on my mom for a lot of things. I value her wisdom and advice so very much. Even though I'm 21, I don't hesitate to run to my mom when I need something. What she says to me carries great weight. Her opinion is valuable to me.

That makes me realize that what I teach my children is so very important. If they can see without a shadow of a doubt that I know the things I am teaching them are true, they will be impressed upon that those things MUST be true. So I must strive always to teach them only what is right.