The Spirit of Family

Our youth would quickly fall away
If we did not teach them how to pray
If they did not understand
Our Heavenly Father's plan

What more can we do?
To nurture them anew
But let them know they belong
And we need them to be strong

Speaking with love and respect
As the Holy Spirit directs
We can show them happily
The joy of home and family

visiting teaching message December

"Without nurturing, our rising generation could be in danger of becoming like the one described in Mosiah 26. Many youth didn't believe the traditions of their fathers and became a separate people as to their faith, remaining so ever after. Our rising generation could likewise be led away if they don't understand their part in Heavenly Father's plan. So what is it that will keep the rising generation safe? In the Church, we teach saving principles, and those principles are family principles, the principles that will help the rising generation to form a family, teach that family, and prepare that family for ordinances and covenants—and then the next generation will teach the next and so on. As parents, leaders, and Church members, we are preparing this generation for the blessings of Abraham, for the temple."
"We have the responsibility to be very clear on key points of doctrine found in the proclamation on the family. Motherhood and fatherhood are eternal roles and responsibilities. Each of us carries the responsibility for either the male or the female half of the plan. We can teach this doctrine in any setting. We must speak respectfully of marriage and family. And from our example, the rising generation can gain great hope and understanding—not just from the words we speak but from the way we feel and emanate the spirit of family." Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.
Our Responsibility to Nurture the Rising Generation
Ensign, September 2010