This week, for General Conference Odyssey, I came upon a great talk on parenting. James E. Faust was direct, blunt, and ever hopeful in his words, and the words he used from his fellow brethren.

James E. Faust began his talk with his own opinion:

“In my opinion, the teaching, rearing, and training of children requires more intelligence, intuitive understanding, humility, strength, wisdom, spirituality, perseverance, and hard work than any other challenge we might have in life. This is especially so when moral foundations of honor and decency are eroding around us. To have successful homes, values must be taught, and there must be rules, there must be standards, and there must be absolutes. Many societies give parents very little support in teaching and honoring moral values. A number of cultures are becoming essentially valueless, and many of the younger people in those societies are becoming moral cynics.”

Spencer W. Kimball:

“In the past, having family prayer once a day may have been all right. But in the future it will not be enough if we are going to save our families.”  

What do we really believe prayer can do for us and our families? Can we put Pres. Kimball’s meaning into action in our lives, fully relying on the Lord as we ask for divine direction, protection, and inspiration?

David O. McKay:

“Parents who fail to teach obedience to their children, if [their] homes do not develop obedience society will demand it and get it. It is therefore better for the home, with its kindliness, sympathy and understanding to train the child in obedience rather than callously to leave him to the brutal and unsympathetic discipline that society will impose if the home has not already fulfilled its obligation.” (The Responsibility of Parents to Their Children, p. 3.)

Today, our children aren’t growing up to believe in God. Through learned obedience, they understand that we obey that higher power who exists and watches over us and wants good things for us.

Neal A. Maxwell:

“Those who do too much for their children will soon find they can do nothing with their children. So many children have been so much done for they are almost done in.” (Ensign, May 1975, p. 101.) 

Elder Maxwell’s poetry, in this statement, is so evident in our day.

Orson F. Whitney:

“There are some great spiritual promises which may help faithful parents in this church. Children of eternal sealings may have visited upon them the divine promises made to their valiant forebears who nobly kept their covenants. Covenants remembered by parents will be remembered by God. The children may thus become the beneficiaries and inheritors of these great covenants and promises. This is because they are the children of the covenant.” (Conference Report, Apr. 1929, pp. 110–11.)

My favorite and most hopeful quote of the talk. Are we being taught that our ancestors are watching over us, praying for us, and rooting for our success? Does the power of family covenants offer special protection? How many of us have children who are wandering on paths unknown? The fear that brings to a mother’s heart is excruciating! But even though things look grim now, know that grandmas and grandpas, down your family lines, are lovingly watching over that child and covenants made will endure forever. To be honest, I have no idea how that will happen, but I believe it will happen. Our promises are sure in our Savior, Jesus Christ.