Summer Kick Off

Children are so very special. They teach you volumes about how to live life, how to enjoy life, how to be like God. They are so endearing and quick to forgive. They are sharp and clever. They see the good in others, they see the good in their parents.

I am blessed with both sons and daughters. Recently we had a Dance Recital featuring our stars, Sarah Elizabeth and Kate Cecily. I had attended most of their dress rehearsals and sat there admiring the beauty of my girls. This recital had a theme, "The Colors of the Rainbow." The theme song also happened to be one featured on my Dad's video that my husband put together the year he died. The song gets me every time. The melody pulls on my heart. As I sat and watched my valiant daughters dance, interact with other dancers, and admire their teachers, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. I felt sadness for them and the world they are facing. The world is an evil place. Temptation and anger swirl around and make the very air my children breath toxic. However, these children coming down to Earth come with a valiance beyond description.

This past General Conference, we received repetitive counsel on the import of the family unit, what is to be taught in our homes, the temptation our children face, and where we may turn for peace. I loved the talk by Elder Ballard. He spoke to mothers and daughters. Here are a few morsels I have been chewing on spiritually to cure the sadness I often feel when I think of my girls facing the brutality of this mortal existence.

"Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman." Elder M. Russell Ballard

"Young women, your mothers adore you. They see in you the promise of future generations. Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings them pure joy. And likewise your worries and heartaches are their worries and heartaches." Elder M. Russell Ballard

"All youth will be more likely to make and keep covenants if they learn how to recognize the presence and the voice of the Spirit. Teach your daughters about things of the Spirit. Point them to the scriptures. Give them experiences that will help them cherish the blessing of priesthood power in their lives. Through keeping covenants they will learn to hear the voice of the Lord and receive personal revelation. God will truly hear and answer their prayers. The Mutual theme for 2010 applies to our youth as well as to all of us: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). This will lead them safely to the blessings of the house of the Lord." Elder M. Russell Ballard

These are a few quotes and thoughts that bring me hope. General Conference is filled with words of peace and hope for all the world. I am so grateful for the guidance we receive through modern day Prophets.