Chapter 39—The Will a Factor in Success
Every Child Should Understand the Power of the Will—The
will is the governing power in the nature of man, bringing all the other
faculties under its sway. The will is not the taste or the inclination,
but it is the deciding power, which works in the children of men unto
obedience to God, or unto disobedience
Every child should understand the true force of the will. He should
be led to see how great is the responsibility involved in this gift. The
will is ... the power of decision, or choice
Success Comes When the Will Is Yielded to God—Every hu-
man being possessed of reason has power to choose the right. In every
experience of life God’s word to us is, “Choose you this day whom ye
will serve.”
Joshua 24:15
. Everyone may place his will on the side of
the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus linking himself
with divine agencies, he may stand where nothing can force him to do
evil. In every youth, every child, lies the power, by the help of God, to
form a character of integrity and to live a life of usefulness.
The parent or teacher who by such instruction trains the child to
self-control will be the most useful and permanently successful. To the
superficial observer his work may not appear to the best advantage; it
may not be valued so highly as that of the one who holds the mind and
will of the child under absolute authority; but after years will show the
result of the better method of training
[210]
Do Not Weaken, but Direct the Child’s Will—Save all the
strength of the will, for the human being needs it all; but give it proper
direction. Treat it wisely and tenderly, as a sacred treasure. Do not
hammer it in pieces, but by precept and true example wisely fashion
and mold it until the child comes to years of responsibility
1
Testimonies For The Church 5:513
.
2
Education, 289
.
3
Ibid
.
4
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 116
.
157