In Favor With God by Simon Dewey

Growing In Wisdom by Simon Dewey

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." Luke 2:52

Babylon and Zion see children differently. In Zion, the educating of  children is the responsibility of the parents and the church. Zion communities and families see children as a blessing to be cherished. Just as in ancient Israel, Zion parents understand the importance of education and teach their children everything possible about God, man, and the universe around them. Additionally, boys are taught a means of supporting their family. Girls are taught all that is necessary to preserve life, society, and home. We can see from a careful study of the scriptures support and responsibility for education remain in the home.

On the other hand, Babylon relinquishes their responsibilities toward children to the state. They see children as a burden or hindrance. Roles are not defined or are so rigid that women are not educated at all. Men and women vie to be top dog instead of complimenting each other with equal but specific roles. Women behave and dress like men. Men behave and dress like women. Children are neither seen or heard but sent away to "play" in possession-rich, loveless rooms, endless lessons, and humanistic schools.When families do spend time together, it is filled with disrespect or neglect.

"Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man—for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it—And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins. Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart." Enos 1:1-3


We all know that Jesus was taught the trade of carpentry by Joseph and nurtured by Mary. Paul was taught tent-making and law. Nephi, the sons of Helaman, and many other Book of Mormon prophets spoke of being educated by their fathers.


"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians." 1 Nephi 1:1-2

As our greatest responsibility, we are commanded to teach our children. It's a rewarding  pleasure. Children can be led astray if they learn secular subjects in isolation without the control of spiritual subjects. If we connect natural history, science, mathematics, history, handicrafts, fine arts, and literature to God's Words, children can grow to see His hand in all things. They grow to understand that all this hard study is for an eternal purpose not just to get a good grade. Discussing ideas and questions with parents, children are further taught according to a view with God at the forefront. In many situations, secular subjects are overemphasized to the detriment and neglect of spiritual subjects. This illustrates why it is not a safe practice to farm out the education of our children, secular or spiritual.

 "Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence; for, in the language of Adam, Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man, even Jesus Christ, a righteous Judge, who shall come in the meridian of time. Therefore I give unto you a commandment, to teach these things freely unto your children, saying: That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. And now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time. And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me." Moses 6:57-63