Happy Easter

Even though the Easter Bunny has moved on to greener and younger pastures, it was a wonderful weekend.  It is rather rare that we are able to have General Conference on Easter weekend--but what a better way to celebrate the reason for the season.  General Conference was amazing and inspiring.

It made me a little sad that we didn't have any young children in our home any more.  The focus tended to be centered on families and what to do to keep them safe from the "loonacy" (like Loony Tunes!) of today's world.  The girls and I were talking a week or so ago about the upcoming Conference and how excited we were for it.  Two of the girls had things that were going on with their families that would keep them from being able to totally focus on the talks--or even watch them.  The comment was made, "Well, what did we do when we had little kids!?  How did we get anything out of it back then!?"  Sadly the answer was that it wasn't that big of a deal when we were young parents.  We didn't block out Saturday and Sunday from any other influences as we do now.

As I sat enthralled in the words of our leadership, I thought of how sad it was that as young mothers we were so nonchalant about our dedication to such a wonderful learning opportunity.  Although our family lived in different circumstances and actually had to go to the Stake Center to watch conference, I wondered if I realized what was being offered to me at the time.  It was a whole day affair when we were overseas.  We would pack up a lunch and all the members would hang out in between sessions and visit.  I enjoyed that...but I don't remember if we stayed long enough for all four sessions.

This conference, in my opinion, was The perfect Parenting Guide Manual for Today's Families.  A few of the parenting tips that really hit me are:

• The Priesthood is not as strong as it should be.  Too many of our Priesthood brethren are living below their privileges and below what the Lord expects.  There will be times when all that stands between Satan and your home will be the power of your Priesthood.
• Women should be women and not people who feel like they constantly need petting and babying.  We need stronger women of faith.
• Hope, peace, and joy do not depend upon circumstance.  
• Parents are commanded to bring the light of the gospel into their families one step at a time--consistently.
• Read and talk about the scriptures with your children so that you can feel their testimony grow--or not grow--then act accordingly.
• Bring the life of the Savior into every day discussions so that your children will come to know him--such as, when they are lonely, tell of when the Savior was all alone at the hardest time of his life (Gethsemane);   when they are upset with someone, teach how the Savior forgave after being spit upon, beaten, and mocked.
• Children need a testimony of their own and it is NEVER TOO EARLY TO START.  Read your scriptures to your infants!
• A mind will become weak if not constantly challenged to learn.  Real learning comes at the foot of the mother and father--not at the foot of the television.  Parents need to turn off the t.v. and spend more time with their children.
• Sit at the table for meals.  Family meals are important because of family interaction.
• We need to speak more frequently of our Savior.

The list can go on and on but I assume I'm really pushing the idea that anyone will read the few thoughts that have been shared anyway.   President Monson stated that "the world has slipped from the moors of safety."  The lighthouse of the gospel is the only way to guide and protect our children from the every day challenges that they will grow up in.  I hope that the young parents of today will take more seriously the threats against their children than we had to.  We had to be strong so that we could raise children to cope with the world that they will raise their families in--but the bigger weight is upon you, my wonderful children, to be more stalwart and united in the gospel.  In today's world, it takes two parents united and dedicated in the gospel, guiding our wonderful little ones.  I know you can do it!