Elder L. Tom Perry: 'Mothers teaching children in the home'

One of the most effective methods of improving teaching in the Church is to improve teaching in the home, declared Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve.

"Our teaching in the home prepares us to teach more effectively at Church, and our teaching at Church helps us teach more effectively at home," Elder Perry said in his Saturday afternoon conference address. "Throughout the Church there are dining room tables covered with reference materials and notebooks filled with ideas for lessons to be taught."

There is no such thing as over-preparing to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, he added. Lessons not taught during formal class time can always be taught in the home.

Elder Perry spoke of the central role mothers play in teaching the gospel in the home. "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" teaches that gospel education in the home applies to both parents? but the mother plays an especially crucial role. "Fathers most often spend much of their day away from home in their employment. That is one of the many reasons so much of the responsibility for teaching the child in the home falls on mothers.

"While circumstances do vary and the ideal isn't always possible, I believe it is by divine design that the role of motherhood emphasizes the nurturing and teaching of the next generation."

There are challenges from distracting and destructive influences that can mislead God's children.

"We are seeing many young people who lack the deep, spiritual roots necessary to remain standing in faith as storms of unbelief and despair swirl about them," Elder Perry said. "Too many of our Father in Heaven's children are being overcome by worldly desires. The onslaught of wickedness against our children is at once more subtle and more brazen than it has ever been. Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences."

In his address, Elder Perry paid tribute to his own mother, Nora Sonne Perry.

"My mother understood the value of teaching her children about standards, values and doctrine while they were young. While she was grateful to others who taught her children outside the home at either school or church, she recognized that parents are entrusted with the education of their children, and ultimately, parents must ensure their children are being taught what their Heavenly Father would have them learn."

Parents must bring light and truth into their homes through family prayer, scripture study, family home evening, family singing and studying and family meals. "The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home," said Elder Perry.

Concluding, Elder Perry asked the Lord to bless the mothers and fathers of Zion.

"He has entrusted to your care His eternal children. As parents we partner, even join with God, in bringing to pass His work and glory among His children. It is our sacred duty to do our very best."

To watch a video of this talk go to ksl.com.