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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
their minds, the countenances they look upon, the voices they hear, the
places they visit, the company they keep, and the books they read. It is
impossible to overestimate the importance for this world and the next
of the associations we choose for ourselves and, more especially, for
our children.
The first years of life are more important than any other period.
Decided progress will be made either in a right direction or a wrong
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one. On one hand, any amount of frivolous attainment may be gained;
and on the other, any amount of solid, valuable knowledge for prac-
tical life, in becoming acquainted with God, and in learning how to
strengthen every faculty that God has entrusted to us. Most important
and essential for our present and eternal good is the knowledge of
divine truth as revealed in the word of God.
We are living in a time when everything that is false and superficial
is exalted above the real, the natural, and the enduring. The mind must
be kept free from everything that would lead it in a wrong direction.
It should not be encumbered with trashy stories, which do not add
strength to the mental powers. The thoughts will be of the same
character as the food we provide for the mind. The time devoted to
needless, unimportant things would better be spent in contemplating
the wonderful mysteries of the plan of salvation and in using every
God-given power to learn the ways of the Lord, that our feet may not
stumble upon the dark mountain of unbelief or stray from the path of
holiness which was cast up by infinite sacrifice for the ransomed of the
Lord to walk in. The strength of intellect, the substantial knowledge
gained, are acquisitions which the gold of Ophir could not buy. Their
price is above gold and silver. This kind of education the young do not
usually choose. They urge their desires, their likes and dislikes, their
preferences and inclinations; but if the parents have correct views of
God, of the truth, and of the influences and associations which should
surround their children, they will feel their God-given responsibility to
firmly guide the inexperienced youth in the right away, knowing that
what they sow they will also reap.
Could my voice reach the parents all through the land, I would
warn them not to yield to the desires of their children in choosing their
companions or associates. Little do parents consider that injurious
impressions are far more readily received by the young than are divine
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impressions; therefore their associations should be the most favorable