Be Strong. Cleave to the Lord. Choose Him.

Dear Family:

Three passages of scripture that inspired me during Gospel Doctrine class this afternoon:

… Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  (Joshua 1:9)

… cleave unto the Lord your God (Joshua 23:8)

… choose you this day whom ye will serve; … as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

Love,

Dad/Mark

Raising your children during these difficult times

Elder Quentin Cook in the last General Conference:

I know that many of you are concerned about raising your children during these difficult times and increasing their faith. When my wife and I were starting our family in the San Francisco Bay Area, we had that same concern. At a critical point our stake members were advised by Elder Harold B. Lee, then a member of the Twelve, that we could raise our families in righteousness if we would:

1. Follow the prophet.


2. Create the true spirit of the gospel in our hearts and homes.


3. Be a light to those among whom we live.


4. Focus on the ordinances and principles taught in the temple.

(See D&C 115:5; Harold B. Lee, “Your Light to Be a Standard unto the Nations,” Ensign, Aug. 1973, 3–4.)

As we followed this counsel, our faith increased and our fears decreased. I believe we can raise righteous children anywhere in the world if they are taught religious principles in the home.

I am sure as we follow the counsel from apostles of Christ, we can have the Spirit in our homes. Our homes will be safe havens - holy places where we might stand.

Love,

Dad/Mark

(originally emailed 23 Dec 2007)