Family Matters: For Time and All Eternity

Raising grateful children can be a challenging but crucial task for parents in today's world, where materialism and instant gratification is the norm. The concept of entitlement is pervasive, with children often expecting things to be handed to them without understanding the value of hard work or appreciation for what they have. As parents, it is essential to instill a sense of gratitude in our children to help them become empathetic, humble, and appreciative individuals. Here are some approaches to raising grateful children in a world where entitlement is prevalent: Lead by Example   Children learn by observing the behavior of their parents and caregivers. Show gratitude in your daily life by saying "thank you," expressing appreciation for the little things, and demonstrating acts of kindness. Your actions will serve as a powerful model for your children to emulate.   Practice Mindfulness   Encourage your children to be present in the moment and appreciate th...

Having recently moved to a new neighborhood and community closer to the Urdaneta Temple, we started the week on a positive note with a morning devotional. As a family, we studied Elder Gary E. Stevenson's conference talk years ago, entitled " Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples ." In his address, he emphasizes the importance of creating sacred spaces within our homes and the significance of temples in our lives. From his message, we can derive valuable lessons on the sanctity of our homes and the role of temples in our spiritual journey. Lesson 1: Creating Sacred Spaces   Our homes can be sacred spaces where we invite the Spirit and nurture our relationships together.    Just as temples are dedicated to the Lord and are places of worship and revelation, our homes can also be sanctuaries where we invite the Spirit to dwell. By creating an environment of love, respect, and harmony within our homes, we can make them sacred spaces where we feel the presence of God and s...