The good ship Zion

So after the last two days of wrangling with kids through four two-hour sessions of general conference, I was wondering if any of my kids heard a single word from church leaders, let alone words that stuck with them. I will be honest, between church meetings, family nights and daily prayers and scripture study, I often wonder why we make the effort to do it. It seems like most of the time it is more fighting with the kids then it is worth.  Let's be real...most of the time I feel pretty hopeless about it.  However, every once in awhile you will have a "pay day." Tonight was one of those.

We are on our second time through the Book of Mormon as a family. Over 9 years I know that sounds pretty lame, but I feel pretty good about it given the fact that we are doing this with little kids. Anyway, we are currently in Alma 23 where it is talking about all the Lamanites that were taught by Mosiah's sons. These converts were pretty good. We learn in verse 6 that, "And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them--yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away."

So as we were studying this verse tonight, I said something to the effect of, "did you hear that? None of them left the church after they joined!" Trenton responded with the pay dirt comment.  He said, "so none of them fell off of the good ship Zion?" 

I will be frank...my mind was blown. I thought Trenton was too busy coloring his pictures to listen during Elder Ballard's talk today...but apparently not only was he listening, but he also made the connection between the verses we were discussing and the exact doctrine that Elder Ballard was teaching.  To say I was ecstatic is the understatement of the century. I pray that my kids will get the word in their minds and hearts, so on those rare occasions where I feel that Amber and I are successful in our efforts, I feel a lot of gratitude all around.

Elder Hales taught in October 2013 conference that we make a big mistake if we think our kids our too young to get something out of conference, and tonight I saw the truth of his words. Thank goodness for the Holy Ghost and that He can get the words into the hearts of my kids so that they can understand and also be converted to the Lord so that they too, just as the Lamanites, never will fall away.  That is my prayer... That they can be converted to the Lord Jesus Christ and never fall away from that sure foundation that the Savior provides. 

So to all you parents out there who have similar experiences as me where you feel like you are getting nowhere with your efforts to get the gospel in your kids' hearts', just let this little story give you a little hope to get you through the hard nights to the rare golden one, because they do come as we give our best to our kids.