teach them the word of the Lord

"...upon this rock ye are built, and if ye continue, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you." Doctrine & Covenants 33:13

Sometimes it feels as if the gates of hell are right outside my door. In these uncertain times of financial ruin, destruction of the family, and diminishing values around the world, it is a comfort to know that if we continue to hold onto Jesus Christ, our rock, these things cannot prevail against us.

"Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom— For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. Even so. Amen" Doctrine & covenants 33:17-18 (see Matthew 25:1–13)

We are clearly warned to pray and live the commandments. Obviously, we cannot purchase our salvation, but Jesus has been very clear that we must live as He lived to the best of our ability. As His disciples, we are to live as examples worthy of emulation, leading others into the fold hopefully including our own children.

“Certainly parents will make mistakes in their parenting process, but through humility, faith, prayer, and study, each person can learn a better way and in so doing bless the lives of family
members now and teach correct traditions for the generations that follow. “The Lord’s promises are sure: ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go’ (Psalm 32:8). And ‘whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye
shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you’ (3 Nephi 18:20)” (Robert D. Hales, Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 10–11; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 10).

“To this end we advise and urge the inauguration of a ‘Home Evening’ throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord...If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them” (Presidency—Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose“Home Evening,” Improvement Era, June 1915, 733–34).