If You Want To See Christ - Raise Your Children in Light and Truth

 Jack and his son Leo, playing.

I have been meaning to write this blog post for a year and a half, but every time I start to think about it, I run into some major opposition and then don't feel qualified to write it. So today, it just popped into my head to write it now. So even though it may not be fully developed or perfect, I'm just going to put it out there. 

It is based on the revelation given to Joseph Smith that is recorded in D&C 93. In this chapter, the Lord tells us that anyone who is worthy will see his face. 

"It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am." (D&C 93:1)

This is an amazing promise, and I believe, from this and other scriptures and statements from Joseph Smith (I'll post later), that we can have this witness in the flesh on earth and we should all strive for this.

This is probably not a new idea for people who read this kind of blog, and many people I know are kind of obsessed with seeing Christ in the flesh. But I'd like to share a few thoughts. While I wish this is something all people desired and strived for, I have also seen this goal get in the way for some people. And in trying too hard to be whatever they think they need to be/do, they neglect the most important relationships. (Satan can turn even the most righteous desires into negative things if he can figure out a way to do it.)

I think it is important to note that D&C 93 begins with this awesome promise that we can see Christ, and ends with a personal rebuke to several men (who were quite close to the prophet) for not taking good care of their families or letting them get lax in their devotion and prayers. The Lord counsels them to raise their children in light and truth.

Raise your children in light and truth. I love those words. I would like to propose that this means so much more than we first think. Notice that it doesn't say "parent your children in light and truth" The word raise is significant. It means to elevate and to lift them higher than you. Of course, I am not the child raising expert of the world for any and all situations. But I know some perfect parents (in Heaven) and I know how you can access them. Personal revelation is such a key part of raising children, and doing anything really. Sometimes I make to-do lists, mental or otherwise, and they are always super long. But when I make my to-do list with God's help, it usually only has a few things on it. Often it says:  Play with Phoebe.

If your children are already grown, don't think it is too late. Time is not linear and there is still an opportunity to raise them in light and truth. Just ask your heavenly parents how. There are other children, too---that the Lord has put into your lives. These are also your children.

And now I am being called to tell a bedtime story, so I'm going to drop everything and go. I am the best bed time story teller ever, or so she tells me. So while I have that status in her eyes, I will play to my strengths.