Our Duty: Protect Our Families
We are responsible for our behavior towards others. These days are filled with dangers and problems around every corner. We all are responsible to watch out for each other and help each other get through the bumps or giant craters of life… that we surely will fall into from time to time. The whole reason God put us into families (it takes two) is so we would all have a team starting out in this life. We are to have support and love from many people in our life. We need to be of strong character. We need to be someone who doesn’t abandon our loved ones when times get challenging. If we really love our families than we need to act like it and stand up for them and stand by them.
Parents need to always be loving and respectful to their children. First parents need to make sure they are treating their children correctly then they need to make sure everyone else is as well. Parenting is not for wimps and we must stand up and fight for our children. If someone is bullying them, stop it. If someone is criticizing them, go talk to that person or keep your child away from them. We can’t forget that society affects each of us in many ways. Stand up for things that are good for your community. Get involved and make a real difference. |
h Elder Jeffery R. Holland “Israel, Israel, God Is Calling” (CES Devotional, September 2012) tells a few stories of different situations where people “left their religion at the door” and acted horribly to another person. He says, “We have to try, we have to be strong” in standing up for what is right, not behaving rudely, and trying to stop wicked behavior that is hurting people close to us. He teaches we should always look for what would “make the situation better” as Jesus always did and sometimes that means jail for the offender. Elder Holland says that it is a false belief among some religious people that we should never judge anything. This is false. We must judge when it comes to our safety or the safety of those we love (no one would want a criminal to babysit their children…righteous judgement). Jesus taught that we should judge righteous. He tells us that we are only making temporary judgements for safety, whereas God makes all final judgements. Elder Holland says, “In this regard—this call for compassion and loyalty to the commandments—there is sometimes a chance for a misunderstanding, especially among young people who may think we are not supposed to judge anything, that we are never to make a value assessment of any kind. We have to help each other with that because the Savior makes it clear that in some situations we have to judge, we are under obligation to judge...” He adds that we need to PROTECT our families through judgements and then help to PROTECT society.
“Let Our Voices Be Heard” by Elder M. Russell Ballard (October 2003) teaches us about the importance of good parents. He says, “Father and mother are callings from which we will never be released, and there is no more important stewardship than the responsibility we have for God’s spirit children who come into our families.” He asks for parents and concerned adults everywhere to stand up, speak out, and ask for better media for our children that teaches truth and morals instead of lies and sinful behavior. Elder Ballard says, ““The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” and “Conspiring men and women, intent on gain rather than goodness, “stir up the people” to “all manner of …wickedness” (see Alma 11:20), preventing the noble uses to which the media could be employed.” He says that you should “refuse to be used” by people in media who are pushing society to be evil and corrupt.
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Elder Dallin H. Oaks “Truth And Tolerance” (CES Devotional for Young Adults, September 2011) teaches that we are to tolerate difference in beliefs and culture, but we are not to accept “wrong behavior” such as someone hitting us or showing our children disturbing movies. We need to love and accept people, but not sins that affect us or our loved ones directly. He tells that Jesus was kind, but firm. Jesus taught truth and stood up for what was right. |
“Protect The Children” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks (October 2012) teaches that we are obligated to protect our families and loved ones from harm and abuse. We need to watch out for them. He says that the eternal fate for those who hurt children in this life will be horrific, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone
were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:5–6).” He says we can do more to help and stop children from hurting across the world. He teaches that parents cannot be selfish. They must think of their children and what each situation will bring for them.
were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:5–6).” He says we can do more to help and stop children from hurting across the world. He teaches that parents cannot be selfish. They must think of their children and what each situation will bring for them.