Chapter 111—Respect and Love for Parents
Those who would truly follow Christ must let Him abide in the
heart, and enthrone Him there as supreme. They must represent His
spirit and character in their home life, and show courtesy and kindness
to those with whom they come in contact.
There are many children who profess to know the truth, who do
not render to their parents the honor and affection that are due to them,
who manifest but little love to father and mother, and fail to honor
them in deferring to their wishes, or in seeking to relieve them of
anxiety. Many who profess to be Christians do not know what it means
to “honor thy father and thy mother,” and consequently will know just
as little what it means, “that thy days may be long upon the land which
the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
Our youth profess to be among those who keep the commandments
of God, and yet many of them neglect and break the fifth command-
ment; and the rich blessing promised to those who observe this precept,
and honor father and mother, cannot be fulfilled to them. Unless they
repent of their sin, and reform their practices and character through
the grace of Christ, they will never enter into the new earth, upon
which they may live eternally. Those who do not respect and love their
parents will not respect and honor God. Those who fail to bear the
test, who fail to honor their God-fearing parents, fail to obey God, and
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therefore cannot expect to come into the land of promise.
A Destiny in Obedience
The youth are now deciding their own eternal destiny, and I would
appeal to you to consider the commandment to which God has annexed
such a promise, “that thy days may be long upon the land which the
Lord thy God giveth thee.” Children, do you desire eternal life? Then
respect and honor your parents....
If you have sinned in not rendering love and obedience to them,
begin now to redeem the past. You cannot afford to take any other
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