Postitive Parenting Week 2

4 Legs of the table: Family Home Evening, Family Prayer, Family Scripture Study, and Regular Temple Attendance.

"When we try in faith to walk in obedience to the requests of the Priesthood, the Lord opens the way--even when there appears to be no way." (Pres. Gordon B. Hinkley)

Sister Tanner started out the class saying that she went to the temple on a Friday afternoon and it was crazy busy. She talked to one of her friends that is a temple worker and said, "Hey what's going on? Is there a wedding or something?" The friend's response was, "No. It's just the New Year. Come back in February and it'll be back to normal." Of course we all laughed but were reminded of our New Year resolutions.

Whenever you make a goal, half is what you are going to do. The other half is what you have to give up. Example: When training for my half marathons I have a schedule of how many miles I have run each day. I run four days a week and my training is at least ten weeks long. If I continue to run races the training continues. The thing I give up is my time. That time used to be spent with my family, watching my favorite TV shows, doing cross stitch, and other activities.

There was a story of a dad and his son. As they were discussing what movie to see the boy asked his dad what PG-13 meant. The dad told him that it meant the movie was mostly good, but there were some parts that were not. The boy said, "We're a PG-13 family! We're good most of the time." With that story Sister Tanner talked about setting our goals of the 4 legs of the table, being obedient to the commandments, and doing them with exactness. The Stripling Warriors followed and obeyed with exactness. If the Lord makes a promise He will follow through with exactness! The Lord never leaves us not knowing what He wants from us. The Lord wants us to succeed and He has told us with exactness what to do to save our families through the law of witnesses. Our Prophet has told us on numerous occasions what the Lord wants of us and His promises in return.

"There is a law,... upon which all blessings are predicated-- And when we receive any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (D&C 130: 20-21)

Prayer:
"In the past, having family prayer once a day may have been all right. But in the future it will not be enough if we are going to save our families." (Pres. Spencer W. Kimball) We are in that future he was talking about. It's not enough to have a few extra words at mealtime. Kneel down! Pray morning and night, and more often in troubled times. In the morning ask for guidance and protection. Pray in specifics for each member of the family. In the evening return and report.

Scripture Study:

If we as parents will read the Book of Mormon daily personally, and with our children we will have the following:

• The Spirit of reverence will increase
• There will be mutual respect
• Consideration for each other
• Spirit of contention will depart
• Parents will counsel in love and wisdom
• Children will be more responsive and submissive
• Righteousness will increase
• Faith, hope, and charity will abound
• There will be peace, joy, and happiness

Get everyone their own set of scriptures. Have a scripture bag because it creates a warm fuzzy feeling in the children. Remember that videos such as "The Living Scriptures" or CD's such as "Scripture Scouts" are wonderful and help teach the children they should not be the means of scripture study. Children need to hear the language of the scriptures. They will learn to love it! Put scripture heroes on their walls. Have "markers" for their scriptures. They are their work books. Underline! Write notes, and teach them to study and use the scriptures.

FHE:

"If the Saints obey this counsel to have regular FHE we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase; faith will develop in the hearts of the youth of Israel and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which will beset them."

• Be enthusiastic
• Challenge and involve the children
• Introduce variety into the lessons
• Use resource materials
• Take advantage of teaching moments
• Don't be afraid to experiment
• Teach the gospel for it's own sake

Teach the gospel and build family ties. We've been directed to have FHE on Monday nights. Follow with exactness! We should give FHE the highest priority. It's family home evening, not family home hour. Have a lesson and then spend the rest of the time bonding. Bond through the spirit!

Temple Attendance:

You are invited... to spend a half day (or even a full day) in the temple each month. "Let us be a temple-attending and a temple loving people." (Pres. Howard W. Hunter)

• In a man, you will become mighty; if a woman, powerful.
• It will serve as great "insurance protection: for you marriage.
• The blessings of the Eternal Gods will be called down upon you, and great spiritual growth will be yours.
• Unseen angels will watch over your loved ones when Satanic forces tempt them.
• Your families will draw close to the Lord and there will be no empty chairs in the Celestial Kingdom.
• Your children will go on missions.
• Your children will get married in the temple.
• The veil will be thin, you will have great spiritual growth, and many spiritual experiences will distill upon you.
• You will be prepared for exaltation--with a celestial body, a celestial mind, and a celestial personality.
• You will become receptive to divine guidance and you will receive spiritual perception to help you grapple with your problems and cares.
• You will see clearly how to make critical decisions that weigh heavily on your mind.
• You will become more Christlike. (Elder Vaughn Featherstone)

"Maintaining our spiritual strength is a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes from our temples." (Pres. James E. Faust)

Homework:

Do one of these 4 legs of the table with exactness for 8 weeks!