As Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe in prophets. The Lord has used prophets many times throughout the history of the world to teach His children proper living (see Amos 3:7.)
The good news for today is that the Lord still follows that same pattern! There is a prophet on the earth that speaks for God, just as Moses or Abraham did so long ago.
Gordon B. Hinckley is the name of the Lord’s prophet today. He is a soft-spoken man, one who is deliberate in his desires to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. You can find many of his discourses and teachings here at this link.
In the December 2007 magazine publication of the Church, called the Ensign, the featured article is written by President Hinckley. Here is just a snippet so that you can get a little bit of an idea of the tremendous nature of this man of God.
“Do you want a spirit of love to grow in the world? Then begin within the walls of your own home. Behold your little ones, and see within the wonders of God, from whose presence they have recently come. . .” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “These, Our Little Ones,” Ensign, Dec 2007, 2-7)
Throughout the article, this man of God addresses a growing evil in our society – the abuse of children. He speaks of the Lord’s concern for those who abuse the little ones amongst us; he speaks of the Lord’s tender desires for those little ones.
The thing I found fascinating in this article is that President Hinckley gives four imperatives that are so profound and yet so simple to do if we are to care well for our children. These “Four Imperatives” are:
1. Love them.
2. Teach them.
3. Respect them.
4. Pray with them.
President Hinckley mentions a bumper sticker he’d once seen – quote: “Have your hugged your child today?” So I ask of us, Have we hugged our children today?
Time is so fleeting. And so much of what we get wrapped up in, if closely examined, might make us blush. Very few on their future deathbeds will likely utter, “I wish I’d spent more time at the office!”
What is it about death that forces us to stare reality in the face? Thus, I’m so grateful for the sage and kind words of a prophet today that pleads with people to come to their senses. We are to begin at home if we want the “spirit of love to grow in the world”, as quoted from President Hinckley above.
President Hinckley also shares a quote in his discourse from an early Mormon prophet, Brigham Young, as saying:
“A child loves the smiles of its mother, but hates her frowns. I tell the mothers not to allow the children to indulge in evils, but at the same time to treat them with mildness …
“Bring up your children in the love and fear of the Lord; … never allowing yourself to correct them in the heat of passion; teach them to love you rather than to fear you.” (Ibid.)
Oh, may we hearken to these wise counsels and love well the little ones amongst us to avoid otherwise frightening consequences. (Matthew 18:6)
(To read the full text of President Hinckley’s inspiring discourse on how to be a better parent, click here.)
