Protect the Children

I put this video together for my lesson . . . may we hear the Prayer of the Children. 

Today I was privileged to teach a lesson in Relief Society about protecting children. I taught from the General Conference message given by Elder Oaks in the last conference. You can view that: Here. It was a very powerful message, very blunt, and to the point -- my favorite kind. It was a worldwide message, but I tried to make it a little more personal, and applicable. 

"We are all under the Savior’s command to love and care for each other and especially for the weak and defenseless. Children are highly vulnerable. They have little or no power to protect or provide for themselves and little influence on so much that is vital to their well-being. Children need others to speak for them, and they need decision makers who put their well-being ahead of selfish adult interests. -Elder Oaks

We need to see children as the blessings they really are, and not burdens that get in the way of our selfish desires, and aspirations. They are treasures. Precious above all things. We need to help them, love them, protect them. 

Children are an heritage of the Lord. The word heritage means:

1. Property that is or can be inherited; an inheritance.
2. Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.
3. The status acquired by a person through birth; a birthright

Children are on loan to us from God. He is allowing us to borrow them, to take care of them, and then return them to Him. 

I felt prompted to focus most of the lesson on the damage that psychological abuse can cause. We have so much power over the children around us -- for good, or evil. One positive, or negative, self-defining word can change the course of their very lives. The things we say to them, and about them, will have a lasting effect that will shape their minds and their spirit. We need to choose our words wisely, carefully. We need to build them up -- not tear them down. 

I think we all have words in our minds that were put their by someone else: You are smart, you are pretty/handsome, you can do it, you are a winner, you are amazing. Or, you are stupid, you are ugly, you are a failure, you are mediocre, you can't do it, you are lame. Words are powerful. A force for good or evil. Consider how those negative words made you feel, and consider how better words can flow from your mouth! 

You have the power to make -- or break -- a child. And not just your own, but children all around you.

Choose carefully how you treat children . . . God is watching. We are commanded to PROTECT them.  And most of all . . . LOVE them. Just love them.