Elder Perry's Words

Becoming Godly Parents (October 2012)

Key Doctrines and Principles:
Creation of Family

Marriage

Protecting Children

Parenting with Love

Christ is the Center of families  

Favorite Quotes:
"Through all the fast-paced changes occurring around us, we earnestly pray and work to ensure that the values of the gospel of Jesus Christ endure. Already some of them are in jeopardy of being lost. At the top of the list of these values and, therefore, prime targets of the adversary, are the sanctity of marriage and the central importance of families. They provide an anchor and the safe harbor of a home where each child of a loving Heavenly Father can be influenced for good and acquire eternal values."

"Culture is defined as the way of life of a people. There is a unique gospel culture, a set of values and expectations and practices common to all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This gospel culture, or way of life, comes from the plan of salvation, the commandments of God, and the teachings of living prophets. It is given expression in the way we raise our families and live our individual lives."

"The joining together of a man and a woman to be legally and lawfully wed not only is preparation for future generations to inherit the earth, but it also brings the greatest joy and satisfaction that can be found in this mortal experience. This is especially true when the powers of the priesthood proclaim a marriage to be for time and for all eternity. Children born to such marriages have a security that is found nowhere else." 

"Our strengthened family cultures will be a protection for our children from “the fiery darts of the adversary” (1 Nephi 15:24) embedded in their peer culture, the entertainment and celebrity cultures, the credit and entitlement cultures, and the Internet and media cultures to which they are constantly exposed. Strong family cultures will help our children live in the world and not become “of the world” (John 15:19)."

"The onslaught of wickedness against our children is more subtle and brazen than it has ever been. Building a strong family culture adds another layer of protection for our children, insulating them from worldly influences." 

Why It Matters:
This topic is very important to me, as I am planning to be a mother in the future. I think it's important for everyone to learn because we all interact with children in one way or another. Centering our families and raising children with the knowledge of this gospel is crucial to help them avoid the sin that is growing every day in the world. It's so important to spend time and develop families with healthy relationships, because it will impact all other areas of our lives. I know that families are central to Heavenly Father's plan and that we need to do all we can to support his plan.