Parenting with rules and relationships

The good news is that we have a Father in Heaven who fathers with rules and provides an opportunity for a relationship if we will embrace it, which allows us to mature and grow in this life. He is a perfect Father. If we see him otherwise, perhaps it is because of our limiting beliefs or our lack of desire to follow. He has offered us prayer, the influences of the Holy Ghost and the blessings of the Atonement so that we can connect and keep a relationship with him. He has also given us commandments and principles to follow to ensure that we can progress and receive joy in this life and in to the next.

Take a look at either those in the scriptures or those around you. Chaos and rebellion will follow those who are only embracing one side of the equation; however, those who follow the rules and invest in the relationship with our Heavenly Father acquire amazing spiritual maturity.

Whether we are parenting, teaching a Sunday school class, serving a mission, running a business or trying to be a disciple of Christ, rules with a relationship create maturity.