“The office of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto .
. . thy husband, in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of
meekness.”
“Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of
her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine
of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and
the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old,
the sin be upon the heads of the parents.
“For this shall be a law unto the inhabitants of Zion, or
in any of her stakes which are organized.
“And their children shall be baptized for the remission
of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands.
“And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to
walk uprightly before the Lord.”
“I have commanded you to bring up your children in light
and truth. . . .
“First set in order thy house. . . .
“What I say unto one I say unto all. . . .
“. . . See that [family members] are more diligent and
concerned at home, and pray always.”
Excerpts from the minutes of the Female Relief Society of
Nauvoo indicate that Joseph Smith and the sisters never lost sight of the
principles in these revelations. Their words and actions showed that their
homes and the homes of others were uppermost in their minds. For example, Emma
Smith taught that “it was high time for mothers to watch over their daughters
and exhort them to keep the path of virtue.” The Prophet Joseph expressed
special concern about the relationship between husband and wife. He counseled
the sisters:
“Let this society teach how to act towards husbands, to
treat them with mildness and affection. When a man is borne down with trouble—when
he is perplexed, if he can meet a smile, not an argument—if he can meet with
mildness, it will calm down his soul and soothe his feelings. When the mind is
going to despair, it needs a solace. . . . When you go home never give a cross
word, but let kindness, charity and love, crown your works.”
In other settings, the Prophet gave similar counsel to
men, saying that a husband’s duty is to “love, cherish, and nourish his wife”
and “regard her feelings with tenderness.”
I know that as I serve Steven, and our children, I am
utilizing the greatest tool Father has given us to become like Him. In this
service I develop all the god-like qualities within me. These can then reach
beyond our home to others within my sphere of influence.
In January of 2010 I was seeking direction from Heavenly
Father as to what aspect of service He would have me focus on developing during
the coming year. The tender call came: 'Choose to serve your husband.' Not to be
a servant to – but to serve my husband as Christ serves me.
I testify that to the
degree I have applied this principle each day, everything else in my life
has been affected for the better: I have been a more capable and caring mother
and grandmother; daughter and sister; relative, friend, and neighbor. I have
been able to manage my time in such a way that every needful thing is accomplished. I have been able to receive the word
of the Lord with greater understanding. I have been able to serve in my calling
with a greater capacity to testify of truth. I have felt a greater sense of
urgency, accomplishment and satisfaction in building up and managing a home for
our family. I have felt a real and tangible connection to my family on the
other side of the veil. I have been drawn with a longing to be found inside the
Temple as often as possible. I have felt balance and direction in my interests
outside of our home.
I have also felt peace and joy and wonder at the outpouring of love, grace and mercy from our Heavenly
Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, as they tutor me, sustain me and forgive
me each day, as I continue to strive to be full of charity and follow after the
patterns of the Savior in my life.
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