Okay, we are doubling up this week since we’re running out of time (ONE more week of GCBC before a new conference!), and I love, LOVE, love both of these talks. It will be worth your time to study them both this week, I promise.
Establishing a Christ-Centered Home
by Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Seventy
“Because Satan understands that true happiness in this life and in the eternities is found in the form of family, he does everything in his power to destroy it.”
and
What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?
by Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy
“A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself.”
I could put hundreds of quotes here that I loved from both talks. How about you? What were your favorite principles from these talks? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you’re new to General Conference Book Club, get more info here.
Diapers and Divinity 
I measure all the parenting advice I get from anywhere (other moms, books, the internet, etc) by the scripture in D&C 121. If it doesn’t fit that criteria, it doesn’t make it into my parenting repertoire. Elder Robbins’ talk was probably my very favorite talk of the entire conference. Especially because of how he talked about parenting. I think a lot of people (even members of the Church) needed his parenting advice. If everyone will follow his advice we will have much happier and well adjusted children. I absolutely have a testimony of the parenting principles he presented.
I especially liked these quotes from Elder Robbins: “Because be begets do and is the motive behind do, teaching be will improve behavior more effectively than focusing on do will improve behavior.” and “When we teach children doctrine by the Spirit, that doctrine has the power to change their very nature—be—over time.”
These quotes reminded me of a talk by President Boyd K. Packer where I found one of my favorite quotes of all time:
“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.
The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.”
You can read my other comments over on my blog.
I love both of these talks. I have a copy of “What matter of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?” on my nightstand. I refer to it OFTEN! I have felt like I was in parenting 10,000 for SO looooonnnnggg! Not by choice, but because the Lord lovinging decided I should be getting a PhD when it comes to children. I’m grateful, but also worn out! My husband and I have joked that we are in grad-school ever since we first heard this talk. If anything, it helps us smile and maintain a sense of humor and gratitude for our children and this chance to learn.
My husband taught a combined RS/Priesthood lesson on “What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?” a couple of weeks ago, and it was fantastic. He likened “to be” and “to do” to his profession, psychology, and how who we are and what we do sometimes confuses us (we are all “people who sin,” but to call us a “sinner” labels us and could make us more likely to sin in the future. Oh, I can’t say it half as well as my husband taught it.) I love lessons that teach me how to be a better mother, but also that don’t leave me feeling ashamed at the job I am doing.
I loved both of these talks, and so it was great to be able to read them again. Elder Robbins’ talk on “be vs. do” was our overall family favorite. In fact, my son used it as the basis for his speech at his high school graduation. Both “being” and “doing” are necessary in our journey to become like the Savior. I needed the reminder.
One part from Elder Mayne’s talk that I liked was the idea that both parents and children have a responsibility to build a Christ-centered celestial home. As he stated, “When parents preside over the family in love and righteousness and teach their children the gospel of Jesus Christ by word and through example, and when children love and support their parents by learning and practicing the principles their parents teach, the result will be the establishment of a Christ-centered home.” Trying to have a bit of heaven on earth in our own homes is a wonderful, and possible, goal. I’m grateful for prophets and leaders who teach us how to accomplish that.