The sorrow and pain are real when loved ones leave the gospel path. There are so many persuasive voices out there. As with Eve, many are beguiled by the serpent. This article articulates the pain so well but also reminds us that we can have hope because of the Savior. I just listened to The Come Back Podcast with Ashley Stone. Hank Smith was her guest. He suggested asking in prayer how we can help God with His children. Our children have a Savior, and it is not us. I take comfort in that and seek to love them on their journey and to pray for guidance.
Corey D.August 24, 2025
I am almost 70, I have 4 children and 9 grandchildren, only 2 of those children and their families go to church and even then my oldest granddaughter whose parents go to church is really struggling with her faith. One of those children is divorced and one is in the middle of a divorce. I can think of only a handful of families who don't have children, grandchildren or spouses or maybe even the whole family who are not struggling in some way or another with church, life or marriage. I'm not one to easily get discouraged but sometimes it's hard, especially now my two oldest granddaughters have left home and have gone to college, I think about them and what they are going to chose all the time. I believe in my Savior and I believe in miracles, seen a lot of miracles in my life but sometimes it's downright discouraging looking around and seeing so many who are struggling spiritually, especially watching those who don't recognize the path they are headed down.
J.G. BaileyAugust 18, 2025
As a boy, I was blessed with a good, righteous family who were close, which is what I expected and hoped for. But it was not to be. I take comfort in President Ezra Taft Benson saying, "You have not failed as a parent, until you fail to try."
CarolynAugust 18, 2025
Thank you for the fresh perspective of this article. It is an excellent reminder of truths we have been taught, but sometimes lose sight of.
So many of us are experiencing this pain of children rejecting the truths of the Gospel that we love and cherish and know to be true. We can’t help but think over and over again, “What did I do wrong? What should I have done differently?...but we had family prayer, scripture study, Family Home Evening.Where is the fulfillment and promises to us as families if we strived to do those things?”...
Discouragement and sadness are difficult to overcome, but something I have recently gained a stronger testimony of is, Eternal Progression. Thank you for addressing this in your talk and article. Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants us all to return home to Him. It may take longer, even much longer for some, but they will return home to Him. In the meantime, we need to keep extending unconditional love and expressing our love and pride in them in the kind of good people they are and that we are so grateful we are family. I have concentrated on this behavior and attitude this summer, and it has made such a difference.
I am so grateful for Heavenly Father’s love for all of us and the confidence He placed in me to raise and guide this child through mortality.
HelenCAugust 18, 2025
So much comfort. Thank you.
David CookAugust 18, 2025
Great message.
Any chance of getting the source for this response Pres. McKay gave to the question about his oft-quoted statement? "He said failure only occurs when parents and grandparents stop trying to influence for good their children who have strayed."
Rochelle HaleAugust 18, 2025
I appreciate that, in recent years, we have learned that President Nelson's father struggled with alcohol, President Holland was raised in a single-parent home, and Sister Arbuto was a convert to the church whose first marriage was not ideal. The empty chairs are evident in our home. We have seen children, cousins, and others leave the teachings of the gospel. Some are angry; some are just following different paths. We meet on common ground where we are able, and we make sure that our children and others know how much we love them. Nevertheless, we are envious of friends who engage in regular family gatherings, especially for birthdays or holidays. We know, however, that the Lord knows each of His children (they were His before they were ours). We all have weaknesses to overcome and things to learn as we experience our mortal lives. We can take joy in our family and joy in living the principles we know to be true, even though our circumstances may not be the most desirable at this time. A few years ago, President Eyring described a challenge within his own family. In effect, he was counseled, "You are worrying about the wrong thing. You get yourself to the Celestial Kingdom, and your family will be more glorious than you can imagine.
Linda W.August 18, 2025
This is the most concise and comforting article I've ever read concerning the emotional turmoil caused by our loved ones leaving the path we hold so dear! From my own experience I know this is a topic that quietly eats away at our hearts, but that we don't talk about. Thanks to the author for sharing his insight!
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Jennifer SAugust 25, 2025
The sorrow and pain are real when loved ones leave the gospel path. There are so many persuasive voices out there. As with Eve, many are beguiled by the serpent. This article articulates the pain so well but also reminds us that we can have hope because of the Savior. I just listened to The Come Back Podcast with Ashley Stone. Hank Smith was her guest. He suggested asking in prayer how we can help God with His children. Our children have a Savior, and it is not us. I take comfort in that and seek to love them on their journey and to pray for guidance.
Corey D.August 24, 2025
I am almost 70, I have 4 children and 9 grandchildren, only 2 of those children and their families go to church and even then my oldest granddaughter whose parents go to church is really struggling with her faith. One of those children is divorced and one is in the middle of a divorce. I can think of only a handful of families who don't have children, grandchildren or spouses or maybe even the whole family who are not struggling in some way or another with church, life or marriage. I'm not one to easily get discouraged but sometimes it's hard, especially now my two oldest granddaughters have left home and have gone to college, I think about them and what they are going to chose all the time. I believe in my Savior and I believe in miracles, seen a lot of miracles in my life but sometimes it's downright discouraging looking around and seeing so many who are struggling spiritually, especially watching those who don't recognize the path they are headed down.
J.G. BaileyAugust 18, 2025
As a boy, I was blessed with a good, righteous family who were close, which is what I expected and hoped for. But it was not to be. I take comfort in President Ezra Taft Benson saying, "You have not failed as a parent, until you fail to try."
CarolynAugust 18, 2025
Thank you for the fresh perspective of this article. It is an excellent reminder of truths we have been taught, but sometimes lose sight of. So many of us are experiencing this pain of children rejecting the truths of the Gospel that we love and cherish and know to be true. We can’t help but think over and over again, “What did I do wrong? What should I have done differently?...but we had family prayer, scripture study, Family Home Evening.Where is the fulfillment and promises to us as families if we strived to do those things?”... Discouragement and sadness are difficult to overcome, but something I have recently gained a stronger testimony of is, Eternal Progression. Thank you for addressing this in your talk and article. Heavenly Father loves all of His children and wants us all to return home to Him. It may take longer, even much longer for some, but they will return home to Him. In the meantime, we need to keep extending unconditional love and expressing our love and pride in them in the kind of good people they are and that we are so grateful we are family. I have concentrated on this behavior and attitude this summer, and it has made such a difference. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father’s love for all of us and the confidence He placed in me to raise and guide this child through mortality.
HelenCAugust 18, 2025
So much comfort. Thank you.
David CookAugust 18, 2025
Great message. Any chance of getting the source for this response Pres. McKay gave to the question about his oft-quoted statement? "He said failure only occurs when parents and grandparents stop trying to influence for good their children who have strayed."
Rochelle HaleAugust 18, 2025
I appreciate that, in recent years, we have learned that President Nelson's father struggled with alcohol, President Holland was raised in a single-parent home, and Sister Arbuto was a convert to the church whose first marriage was not ideal. The empty chairs are evident in our home. We have seen children, cousins, and others leave the teachings of the gospel. Some are angry; some are just following different paths. We meet on common ground where we are able, and we make sure that our children and others know how much we love them. Nevertheless, we are envious of friends who engage in regular family gatherings, especially for birthdays or holidays. We know, however, that the Lord knows each of His children (they were His before they were ours). We all have weaknesses to overcome and things to learn as we experience our mortal lives. We can take joy in our family and joy in living the principles we know to be true, even though our circumstances may not be the most desirable at this time. A few years ago, President Eyring described a challenge within his own family. In effect, he was counseled, "You are worrying about the wrong thing. You get yourself to the Celestial Kingdom, and your family will be more glorious than you can imagine.
Linda W.August 18, 2025
This is the most concise and comforting article I've ever read concerning the emotional turmoil caused by our loved ones leaving the path we hold so dear! From my own experience I know this is a topic that quietly eats away at our hearts, but that we don't talk about. Thanks to the author for sharing his insight!
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