Bring Them Home
By Patti Landes Adams
In the April 2021 General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Joy D. Jones, former General Primary President, shared a talk titled “Essential Conversations.”
From her opening statement, I was enthralled with her message and I remember clapping and cheering several times during her talk. Yes, it was that good!
She began with:
“Have you ever wondered why we call Primary “Primary”? While the name refers to spiritual learning children receive in their earliest years, to me it is also a reminder of a powerful truth. To our Heavenly Father, children have never been secondary—they have always been ‘primary.’”
She then shared the following story:
“One young mother and father sat at their kitchen table reviewing their day. From down the hall, they heard a thud. The mother asked, “What was that?”
Then they heard a soft cry coming from their four-year-old son’s bedroom. They rushed down the hall. There he was, lying on the floor next to his bed. The mother picked up the little boy and asked him what had happened.
He said, “I fell out of bed.”
She said, “Why did you fall out of bed?”
He shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t get far enough in.”
It is our privilege and responsibility to help children ‘get far enough in’ to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And we cannot begin too soon.”
She shared more thoughts on this sacred responsibility:
“There is a uniquely special time in children’s lives when they are protected from Satan’s influence. It is a time when they are innocent and sin free. It is a sacred time for parent and child. Children are to be taught, by word and example, before and after they have “arrived unto the years of accountability before God.”
“We cannot wait for conversion to simply happen to our children. Accidental conversion is not a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Becoming like our Savior will not happen randomly. Being intentional in loving, teaching, and testifying can help children begin at a young age to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost.”
“Consider the value of family conversations about the gospel of Jesus Christ, essential conversations, that can invite the Spirit.”
Elder D. Todd Christofferson said, “Certainly the adversary is pleased when parents neglect to teach and train their children to have faith in Christ and be spiritually born again.”
As I listened to Sister Jones, I thought of my own children and the many generations I have taught over the years. Where are they today? What is their relationship with The Savior. Yes, I know this relationship is a personal and private one. But as I have shared the knowledge of a Redeeming Savior over the years, my testimony to them has been out of love and hope that they would accept Jesus Christ into their lives.
One of my favorite scriptures is found in 2 Nephi 25:26:
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
During Sister Jones’ talk I thought of the many parents who have chosen to bring their children out of worldly schools and teach them at home. Sacrifices are made with time and financial resources to teach children according to their faith. I am pleased to see how many families have chosen this path – and the numbers are increasing every day. Hopefully the main principles of the gospel are at the core of what they are sharing with their children at home.
So, can a child survive spiritually in public school? Frankly, the odds are against them. Seminary helps but many teens choose to forgo the Seminary program in pursuit of additional academics and other activities, or due to lack of interest.
The number of Church youth who remain active after leaving home is plummeting! Suicide among youth in the Church is rising. Drug use has robbed millions of children of their agency, and even their lives. Missionary service is declining and increasing numbers who return, having served faithfully, choose to turn away from their faith upon returning home. Satan is at his best and he is after your children.
I hear many parents defer to agency – “I let them choose their path in life. It’s their decision.” This is true. But when a child’s foundational years have been spiritually neglected when parents had the means to be present, the parents surely carry a major portion of the burden.
Home education may not be for everyone. However, I challenge parents in The Church everywhere in the world, to prayerfully consider this option. There are so many different kinds of gospel-based education options available today. Some can be expensive. Some are almost free. I have listed a few at the end of this article.
I suggest choosing a program that supports the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some “Christian” programs teach beliefs contrary to the restored gospel, and even go so far as to present The Church in a very negative way.
As Sister Jones said, “It is our privilege and responsibility to help children ‘get far enough in’ to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
May you find answers regarding the physical and spiritual stewardship of your own children.
Available Gospel Based Programs (This is not a comprehensive list):
Accredited Schools: Experius International Academy; Ensign Peak Academy, American Heritage Academy
Gospel-based Curriculum: Walk Beside Me Learning; Family School
Listen to Sister Jones’ talk HERE
