For years we had a column called Circle of Sisters, where we invited people to ask the questions that weighed upon them, and invited you all as readers to respond, sharing your wisdom and insight. We hope you will respond to these questions. Without your help there will be no dialogue, and each of us need each other’s insights.
You are also invited to submit questions to this column.
Submit both questions and your answers to others questions to ma*****@la***************.com .
Today we start with a question about the new Come, Follow Me curriculum and the invitation we have to make the gospel home-centered and church-supported. Please share your ideas and solutions with this sister who is pleading for help. We need each other!
A reader asks:
I want to teach the gospel and make my home Christ-centered, but I have two children who utterly resist this. They are older teens and don’t want to go to church any more. They have suggested that if we make teaching the gospel the center of our home, it will only divide them from us. They say that it will only mean that we are pushing the church on them and they will be mad. I don’t think these are idle threats. I want to keep a happy relationship with my children and teach the gospel in my home, but I feel like they are pushing me to make a tough decision for the sake of our relationship. What should I do? And in general, how to parents handle making the gospel the center of our lives when we have children or in-laws who find that offensive? I need help.
HelenJanuary 6, 2019
This is about respect. You show respect for them by letting them absent themselves from gospel study. They should show you respect by allowing you to practise your faith in your own home.
KathleenJanuary 4, 2019
I second Maureen's comments! Most of my children are active, but I currently have an adult son with his wife and young daughter living with me. They say they don't want to have any 'churchy' stuff. Yes, we do have home standards which means he has to take a walk to smoke his cigarette. At first I was determined to force things, but as I prayed and pondered, I learned that Gospel teaching comes in many forms, the greatest of which is to simply love. By example and by spending time together. My bedroom door is open, so they see me pray and read scriptures. I sometimes try to involve them in a project for my calling, or to help neighbors or others in the ward. This isn't 'churchy', this is just being good neighbors. We talk. It's not a formal lesson, but it is a discussion. Most often it's just about 'stuff', but it gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings AND listen to theirs. I've discovered that as I do these things, opportunities arise. Just last week my daughter-in-law and I spent almost two hours looking for her family records in Family Search! I hope and pray that is what the Savior would do, and I truly believe it is. We can't force others (What is that hymn? God will force no man to heaven). We just lead with love and light. Best wishes in your journey!