Mother’s Helpers
217
cheerfully lift the burdens that fall to their share, they are receiving a
training which will fit them for positions of trust and usefulness. Each
year they are to make steady advancement, gradually but surely laying
aside the inexperience of boyhood and girlhood for the experience of
manhood and womanhood. In the faithful performance of the simple
duties of the home boys and girls lay the foundation for mental, moral,
and spiritual excellence
Gives Health of Body, Peace of Mind—The approval of God
rests with loving assurance upon the children who cheerfully take
their part in the duties of domestic life, sharing the burdens of father
and mother. They will be rewarded with health of body and peace of
mind; and they will enjoy the pleasure of seeing their parents take their
share of social enjoyment and healthful recreation, thus prolonging
their lives. Children trained to the practical duties of life will go out
from the home to be useful members of society, with an education
far superior to that gained by close confinement in the schoolroom at
an early age, when neither the mind nor the body is strong enough to
endure the strain
In some cases it would be better if children had less work in the
school and more training in the performance of home duties. Above
all else they should be taught to be thoughtful and helpful. Many
things to be learned from books are far less essential than the lessons
[289]
of practical industry and discipline
Insures Restful Sleep—Mothers should take their daughters with
them into the kitchen and patiently educate them. Their constitution
will be better for such labor, their muscles will gain tone and strength,
and their meditations will be more healthy and elevated at the close
of the day. They may be weary, but how sweet is rest after a proper
amount of labor! Sleep, nature’s sweet restorer, invigorates the weary
body and prepares it for the next day’s duties. Do not intimate to your
children that it is no matter whether they labor or not. Teach them that
their help is needed, that their time is of value, and that you depend on
their labor
21
Messages to Young People, 211, 212
.
22
Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, 148
.
23
Manuscript 126, 1903
.
24
Testimonies For The Church 1, 395
.