As we have learned, there
is distinct differences between men and women. These differences are not only
in physical appearances, but also in how we act. There are also differences
with being a mother and a father and husband and wife. As parents, we have to
work together to raise our children in the gospel with love and righteousness.
We have to provide for the needs of the children, all of them. And mostly to
teach them to love, serve, and observe the commandments of God. As parents we
will be accountable for all of these things. But as we do these together there
are still some very important differences that we need to remember.
“While they have separate
responsibilities, ‘in these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are
obligated to help one another as equal partner.’” –Elder Dallin H Oaks
HUSBANDS
As the man in the family,
you are responsible for the priesthood duties and to preside over the family. This
does not mean you get to be in control of everything. Elder Oaks warns against
misusing the authority they hold. You get to preside in family functions, but
your family functions should not interfere with the activities of the church. But
the activities of the church, should never interfere of those of the family. He
tells a story of how when his father died, his mother presided over the family
but she never tried to preside over church affairs. Even though in some areas
of the world, it is an okay thing to oppress women, but, the church will never
be ok with this practice. If you are doing this you are going against the
policies of the church.
My father is a most
amazing man. He does everything in his power to make sure that my mother feels
like an equal partner. He is a member of the bishopric, and he works 2 different
jobs. But he makes sure that all the women in the congregation and that he
comes in contact with feel appreciated. He is the best example of this to me.
WIVES
The responsibility of
mothers and wives today is more important than ever. We have to be so vigilant
in what we are doing with our children. Think about the 2000 stripling warriors
and the influence that their mothers had on them. So much as to save them all
during battle. The weight of this weighs heavily on us as women, but there is
no need to worry, when we are able to make covenants with God, and we keep
those covenants, we have great power and influence for good on children. Sister Julie B. Beck gave a talk in October
2007 titled “Mothers Who Know”. She talks about mothers who know bear children,
honor sacred ordinances and covenants, are nurturers, are leaders, are
teachers, do less, and stand strong and immovable. This may seem like a
daunting task, to be all of these things, but when you bear children you learn.
My mother is also a
wonderful example of this. She is a stay at home mother, but she also works at
home with her crafting business, and she does the accounting for the dance
studio at home. She has always been the best she can be for us children. When
her sister passed away, my mother always made sure that my cousins were taken
care of. This Cristmas she is hosting me and all my siblings and our families.
She is an amazing example to me
I want to end with a
quote from Elder Oaks:
“Parents should act to preserve time for family
prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, and the other precious
togetherness and individual one-on-one time that binds a family together and
fixed children’s values on things of eternal worth.”
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