An entire generation was not permitted to enter the promised land. Are there ways we’ll be held accountable for what our children have, or have not been taught?
In Numbers 14 God makes it very clear that their murmurings and whoredoms would keep Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. He told them the children, who had to carry the burden of their parents’ sins, along with those who had learned obedience and meekness would be the ones to inherit the promised land.
Parallel to the Children of Israel, our generation has been subject to the steady drumbeat of Babylon.
But we have been given clear assistance in our responsibility. Paragraph 6 of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” reminds us:
“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”
In this we are reminded who these children are, how God feels about them, what they need from us and who we are accountable to as we meet the challenge.
Our challenge is a serious one. But we aren’t alone. We have the fullness of the gospel and a community of Saints to help.
“What is it we hope this rising generation will understand and do because of what you will teach them? Teach so they don’t misunderstand that every doctrine, every principle, everything you’re teaching leads them to the fulness of the gospel. And the fulness of the gospel is found in the temples—in temple ordinances and covenants and their eternal role. That is the full gospel.”
Julie B. Beck, Former General Relief Society President
The adults in the room need to understand, live and teach the “full gospel:” temple ordinances, covenants and eternal roles to the rising generation so we can all enjoy the promised land together.