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Chapter 5—Teaching Self-Denial and Self-Control
Begin With Babyhood
—Self-denial and self-control should be
taught to the children, and enforced upon them, so far as consistent,
from babyhood. And first it is important that the little ones be taught
that they eat to live, not live to eat; that appetite must be held in
abeyance to the will; and that the will must be governed by calm,
intelligent reason.—
The Signs of the Times, April 20, 1882
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Teach Principles of Reform
—Fathers and mothers, watch unto
prayer. Guard strictly against intemperance in every form. Teach
your children the principles of true health reform. Teach them what
things to avoid in order to preserve health. Already the wrath of God
has begun to be visited upon the children of disobedience. What
crimes, what sins, what iniquitous practices, are being revealed on
every hand!—
Testimonies for the Church 9:160
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Teach the True Object of Life
—Explicit instructions have been
given in the word of God. Let these principles be carried out by
the mother, with the co-operation and support of the father, and let
children be trained from infancy to habits of self-control. Let them
be taught that it is not the object of life to indulge sensual appetites,
but to honor God and to bless their fellow men.
Fathers and mothers, labor earnestly and faithfully, relying on
God for grace and wisdom. Be firm and yet mild. In all your
commands aim to secure the highest good of your children, and then
see that these commands are obeyed. Your energy and decision must
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be unwavering, yet ever in subjection to the Spirit of Christ. Then
indeed may we hope to see “our sons may be as plants grown up in
their youth; that our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after
the similitude of a palace.”—
The Signs of the Times, September 13,
1910
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Parents to Blame if Children Are Drunkards
—There is a
general mourning that intemperance prevails to such a fearful extent;
but we fasten the primal cause upon fathers and mothers who have
provided upon their tables the means by which the appetites of their
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