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Counsels for the Church
children who have not received right instruction and discipline have
but little sense of their obligations to their parents. It is often the case
that the more their parents do for them, the more ungrateful they are,
and the less they respect them.
To a great extent, parents hold in their own hands the future happi-
ness of their children. Upon them rests the important work of forming
the character of these children. The instructions given in childhood
will follow them all through life. Parents sow the seed which will
spring up and bear fruit either for good or evil. They can fit their sons
and daughters for happiness or for misery
Parents Must Agree
Children have sensitive, loving natures. They are easily pleased
and easily made unhappy. By gentle discipline in loving words and
acts, mothers may bind their children to their hearts. To manifest
severity and to be exacting with children are great mistakes. Uniform
firmness and unimpassioned control are necessary to the discipline of
every family. Say what you mean calmly, move with consideration,
and carry out what you say without deviation
Parents should not forget their childhood years, how much they
yearned for sympathy and love, and how unhappy they felt when
censured and fretfully chided. They should be young again in their
feelings and bring their minds down to understand the wants of their
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children. Yet with firmness, mixed with love, they should require
obedience from their children. The parents’ word should be implicitly
obeyed
Unsteadiness in family government is productive of great harm,
in fact is nearly as bad as no government at all. The question is often
asked, Why are the children of religious parents so often headstrong,
defiant, and rebellious? The reason is to be found in the home training.
If parents do not agree, let them absent themselves from the pres-
ence of their children until an understanding can be arrived at.
If parents are united in this work of discipline, the child will un-
derstand what is required of him. But if the father, by word or look,
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Testimonies for the Church 1:392, 393
286
Testimonies for the Church 3:532
287
Testimonies for the Church 1:388