QWe are hearing much these days as to what our homes should look like as parents in Zion. Sometimes the “should do” in our lives can create anxiety and pressure when we see what sits on our parent plate. But is it possible that our plate is simply too full? And are we guilty of loading it up?
So many of the challenges we will face when our children hit teen years depends on what your plate looks like when they are younger. Sister Jean B. Bingham shared this about what we ought to know as parents in Zion. Her focus is on our “earthly purpose” and how knowing this with conviction, not permitting excessive influences of the world to distract us, will give our children a better chance of being spiritually whole after their earthly battle.
When we think of Adam and Eve, often our first thought is of their idyllic life in the Garden of Eden. I imagine that the weather was always perfect—not too hot and not too cold—and that abundant, delicious fruits and vegetables grew within reach so they could eat whenever they liked. Since this was a new world for them, there was much to discover, so every day was interesting as they interacted with the animal life and explored their beautiful surroundings. They also were given commandments to obey and had different ways of approaching those instructions, which caused some initial anxiety and confusion.1 But as they made decisions that changed their lives forever, they learned to work together and became united in accomplishing the purposes God had for them—and for all of His children.
Now picture this same couple in mortality. They had to labor for their food, some of the animals considered them food, and there were difficult challenges that could be overcome only as they counseled and prayed together. I imagine there were at least a few times they had differing opinions about how to approach those challenges. However, through the Fall, they had learned that it was essential to act in unity and love. In the tutoring they received from divine sources, they were taught the plan of salvation and the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ that make the plan operable. Because they understood that their earthly purpose and eternal goal were identical, they found satisfaction and success in learning to labor in love and righteousness together.
Jean B. Bingham, General Conference, April 2020
A good exercise might be to wipe our plate clean and prayerfully ask Heavenly Father which things he wants us to serve up to our families. He knows us. He knows our children – His children. He has partnered with us to bring them up in righteousness. He WILL guide us.
Image via Katie Gardner Art
