Chapter 21—The Home a Missionary Training
Center
Of First Importance
The home is the child’s first school, and it is here that the foun-
dation should be laid for a life of service.—
The Ministry of Healing,
400
.
The first great business of your life is to be a missionary at home.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:138
.
The restoration and uplifting of humanity begins in the home. The
work of parents underlies every other.... The well-being of society, the
success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend upon home
influences.—
The Ministry of Healing, 349
.
The more fully the spirit of true ministry pervades the home the
more fully it will be developed in the lives of the children. They will
learn to find joy in service and sacrifice for the good of others.—
The
Ministry of Healing, 401
.
Let not parents forget the great mission field that lies before them
in the home. In the children committed to her every mother has a
sacred charge from God. “Take this son, this daughter,” God says.
“and train it for Me. Give it a character polished after the similitude
of a palace, that it may shine in the courts of the Lord forever.” The
light and glory that shine from the throne of God rest upon the faithful
mother as she tries to educate her children to resist the influence of
evil.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:37
.
Our work for Christ is to begin with the family, in the home....
There is no missionary field more important than this. By precept and
example parents are to teach their children to labor for the unconverted.
The children should be so educated that they will sympathize with the
aged and afflicted, and will seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor
and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in missionary
work; and from their earliest years, self-denial and sacrifice for the
good of others and the advancement of Christ’s cause should be incul-
[207]
201