Chapter 22—Diligence and Perseverance
Satisfaction in Tasks Completed—Children frequently begin a
piece of work with enthusiasm; but, becoming perplexed or wearied
with it, they wish to change and take hold of something new. Thus they
may take hold of several things, meet with a little discouragement, and
give them up; and so they pass from one thing to another, perfecting
nothing. Parents should not allow the love of change to control their
children. They should not be so much engaged with other things that
they will have no time to patiently discipline the developing minds.
A few words of encouragement, or a little help at the right time, may
carry them over their trouble and discouragement; and the satisfaction
they will derive from seeing the task completed that they undertook
will stimulate them to greater exertion.
Many children, for want of words of encouragement and a little
assistance in their efforts, become disheartened and change from one
thing to another. And they carry this sad defect with them in mature
life. They fail to make a success of anything they engage in, for they
have not been taught to persevere under discouraging circumstances.
Thus the entire lifetime of many proves a failure, because they did
not have correct discipline when young. The education received in
childhood and youth affects their entire business career in mature life,
and their religious experience bears a corresponding stamp
Habits of Indolence Are Carried Into Later Life—Children
who have been petted and waited upon always expect it; and if their
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expectations are not met, they are disappointed and discouraged. This
same disposition will be seen through their whole lives; they will be
helpless, leaning upon others for aid, expecting others to favor them
and yield to them. And if they are opposed, even after they have grown
to manhood and womanhood, they think themselves abused; and thus
they worry their way through the world, hardly able to bear their own
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Testimonies For The Church 3:147, 148
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