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Salvation of Children, September 12
Even a child makes himself known by his acts, whether what he does is pure
and right.
Proverbs 20:11
, RSV.
Much study and earnest prayer for heavenly wisdom are needed to know how to
deal with youthful minds, for very much depends upon the direction parents give to
the minds and wills of their children. To balance their minds in the right direction
and at the right time is a most important work, for their eternal destiny may depend
on the decisions made at some critical moment. How important, then, that the minds
of parents be as free as possible from perplexing, wearing care in temporal things,
that they may think and act with calm consideration, wisdom, and love, and make
the salvation of the souls of their children the first and highest consideration! The
great object which parents should seek to attain for their dear children should be
the inward adorning. Parents cannot afford to allow visitors and strangers to claim
their attention, and by robbing them of time, which is life’s great capital, make it
impossible for them to give their children each day that patient instruction which
they must have to give right direction to their developing minds.
This lifetime is too short to be squandered in vain and trifling diversion, in
unprofitable visiting, in needless dressing for display, or in exciting amusements.
We cannot afford to squander the time given us of God in which to bless others and
in which to lay up for ourselves a treasure in heaven. We have none too much time
for the discharge of necessary duties. We should give time to the culture of our own
hearts and minds in order that we may be qualified for our lifework. By neglecting
these essential duties and conforming to the habits and customs of fashionable,
worldly society, we do ourselves and our children a great wrong....
It is the duty of mothers to cultivate their minds and keep their hearts pure. They
should improve every means within their reach for their intellectual and moral im-
provement, that they may be qualified to improve the minds of their children. Those
who indulge their disposition to be in company will soon feel restless unless visiting
or entertaining visitors. Such have not the power of adaptation to circumstances.
The necessary, sacred home duties seem commonplace and uninteresting to them.
They have no love for self-examination or self-discipline. The mind hungers for the
varying, exciting scenes of worldly life....
If parents would feel that it is a solemn duty enjoined upon them of God to
educate their children for usefulness in this life; if they would adorn the inner temple
of the souls of their sons and daughters for the immortal life, we should see a great
change in society for the better (
Testimonies for the Church 3:146, 147
).
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