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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1
one who superintends his training; his will, to all intents and purposes,
is subject to the will of the teacher.
Children who are thus educated will ever be deficient in moral
energy and individual responsibility. They have not been taught to
move from reason and principle; their wills have been controlled by
another, and the mind has not been called out, that it might expand and
strengthen by exercise. They have not been directed and disciplined
with respect to their peculiar constitutions and capabilities of mind
to put forth their strongest powers when required. Teachers should
not stop here but should give special attention to the cultivation of the
weaker faculties, that all the powers may be brought into exercise and
carried forward from one degree of strength to another, that the mind
may attain due proportions.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:132
(1872).
Many Incapable of Thinking for Themselves—There are many
families of children who appear to be well trained while under the
training discipline; but when the system which has held them to set
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rules is broken up, they seem to be incapable of thinking, acting, or
deciding for themselves. These children have been so long under
iron rule—not allowed to think and act for themselves in those things
in which it was highly proper that they should—that they have no
confidence in themselves to move out upon their own judgment, having
an opinion of their own.
And when they go out from their parents to act for themselves, they
are easily led by others’ judgment in the wrong direction. They have
not stability of character. They have not been thrown upon their own
judgment as fast and as far as practicable, and therefore their minds
have not been properly developed and strengthened. They have so long
been absolutely controlled by their parents that they rely wholly upon
them; their parents are mind and judgment for them.—
Testimonies for
the Church 3:132, 133
(1872).
The Results of Controlling Through Force or Fear—Those par-
ents and teachers who boast of having complete control of the minds
and wills of the children under their care would cease their boast-
ings could they trace out the future lives of the children who are thus
brought into subjection by force or through fear. These are almost
wholly unprepared to share in the stern responsibilities of life. When
these youth are no longer under their parents and teachers, and are
compelled to think and act for themselves, they are almost sure to take