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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
There is a commandment with promise to those who honor their father
and their mother. In these last days children are so noted for their
disobedience and disrespect that God has especially noticed it, and it
constitutes a sign that the end is near. It shows that Satan has almost
complete control of the minds of the young. By many, age is no more
respected. It is considered too old-fashioned to respect the aged; it
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dates back as far as the days of Abraham. Says God: “I know him,
that he will command his children and his household after him.”
Anciently, children were not permitted to marry without the con-
sent of their parents. Parents chose for their children. It was considered
a crime for children to contract marriage upon their own responsibility.
The matter was first laid before the parents, and they were to consider
whether the person to be brought into a close relation to them was
worthy, and whether the parties could provide for a family. It was con-
sidered by them of the greatest importance that they, the worshipers
of the true God, should not intermarry with an idolatrous people, lest
their families be led away from God. Even after children were married,
they were under the most solemn obligation to their parents. Their
judgment was not then considered sufficient without the counsel of
the parents, and they were required to respect and obey their wishes
unless these should conflict with the requirements of God.
Again I was directed to the condition of the young in these last
days. Children are not controlled. Parents, you should commence your
first lesson of discipline when your children are babes in your arms.
Teach them to yield their will to yours. This can be done by bearing
an even hand, and manifesting firmness. Parents should have perfect
control over their own spirits, and with mildness and yet firmness bend
the will of the child until it shall expect nothing else but to yield to
their wishes.
Parents do not commence in season. The first manifestation of
temper is not subdued, and the children grow stubborn, which increases
with their growth and strengthens with their strength. Some children,
as they grow older, think it a matter of course that they must have
their own way, and that their parents must submit to their wishes.
They expect their parents to wait upon them. They are impatient of
restraint, and when old enough to be a help to their parents, they
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do not bear the burdens they should. They have been released from
responsibilities, and grow up worthless at home and worthless abroad.