Nattress - No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know - October 2016

Elder Nattress speaks about the joy that comes to a parent to know that their children walk in righteousness.  He shares some things that assist us in bringing our children to a knowledge of the Savior and things that will strengthen them along their journey.

• I have recently been pondering this question: “If all that your children knew of the gospel came from you—as their only source—how much would they know?” This question applies to all those who love, mentor, and influence children.
  
• Is there any greater gift that we can impart to our children than a memory burned deep into their hearts that we know that our Redeemer lives? Do they know that we know? And more important, have they come to know for themselves that He lives?
  

Elder Nattress shares a story of his mother reading every morning to he and his brother, the scriptures.  Although many times they were not listening, she was determined to raise her boys in righteousness and she knew the scriptures were the foundation of the testimony she hoped they would receive.  He shares several things he has become grateful for since that experience growing up.

• I am eternally grateful for my angel mother and for all angels who love children perfectly, notwithstanding their imperfections. I firmly believe that all sisters—I will call them “angels”—are mothers in Zion, whether or not they are married or bear children during this earthly experience.
  
• I am grateful for angels throughout the Church who boldly and lovingly proclaim eternal truth to Heavenly Father’s children.
  
• I am grateful for the gift of the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true! It contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am unaware of anyone who is diligently reading the Book of Mormon each day with pure intent and with faith in Christ who has lost their testimony and fallen away. Moroni’s prophetic promise carries with it the key to know the truth of all things—including having the ability to discern and avoid the deceptions of the adversary.
  
• I am also grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and for His Son, Jesus Christ. The Savior provided the perfect example of how to live in an imperfect and unfair world. “We love him, because he first loved us.” His love for us is immeasurable. He is our truest friend. He sweat “as it were great drops of blood” for you and also for me. He forgave the seemingly unforgivable. He loved the unlovable. He did what no mortal could do: He provided an Atonement to overcome the transgressions, pains, and sicknesses of all mankind.

He quotes President Packer that the atonement is for all of us.  That firm testimony of the atonement is the ultimate knowledge we need to achieve through gaining a testimony.

• President Boyd K. Packer stated: “Save for the exception of the very few who defect to perdition, there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the atonement of Christ.”

He speaks about happiness and what brings true happiness in our lives.

• I don’t know if anything in this world could bring more happiness and joy than to know that our children know the Savior, to know that they know “to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” That is why, as members of the Church, “we preach of Christ” and we testify of Christ.
  
  • That is why we pray with our children every day.
    
  • That is why we read the scriptures with them every day.
    
  • That is why we teach them to serve others, so that they can hold claim upon the blessings of finding themselves as they lose themselves in the service of others.
    

He concludes with a simple declaration that by doing these things, we give our children what they need to love the Savior and to resist temptation that will come their way.

• As we devote ourselves to these simple patterns of discipleship, we empower our children with the love of the Savior and with divine direction and protection as they face the fierce winds of the adversary.
  

What a great talk about bringing up children in righteousness.  We all have an obligation to help the young people of the church.  Elder Nattress gives us great advice on what we can do in our homes to create an environment where our children can find a testimony of the Savior for themselves.  I love the idea of praying with our children each day.  I am going to try to participate with my children in their personal prayers a little more.  I want to encourage that habit in their lives and I think I can help them implement that in their lives.  I know that great blessings will come to them as they grow their personal testimony with their Father in Heaven.