1. Parent’s Duty to the Rising Generation Asia North Area 5 th Sunday Curriculum (August 30, 2015)

2. Introductory Scriptures In Mosiah we learn of King Benjamin’s people and of their gathering to learn from their beloved leader before he died. “…the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them…” (Mosiah 2:1) “…they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and their daughters…” (Mosiah 2:5)

3. Introductory Scriptures King Benjamin taught, “…that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.” (Mosiah 5: 8) “King Benjamin thought it expedient…that he should take the names of all those who entered into a covenant with God to keep his commandments…And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it were little children, but who had entered into the covenant and had taken upon them the name of Christ.” (Mosiah 6: 1-2)

4. Introductory Scriptures Sadly, we learn that several years later, “…there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers.” (Mosiah 26: 1)

5. Questions Why did the rising generation fall away? Why did the rising generation fall away? Could anything have been done to prevent this from happening? Could anything have been done to prevent this from happening? What has the modern Church done to help the rising generation understand the words of prophets both ancient and modern? What has the modern Church done to help the rising generation understand the words of prophets both ancient and modern? What can parents do to protect the rising generation from falling away? What can parents do to protect the rising generation from falling away?

6. Counsel regarding the duty of parents to their children The First Presidency counsels as follows: “We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carrying forward this God-given responsibility. (cont.)

7. Counsel regarding the duty of parents to their children We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However, worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.” (Handbook 2, 1.4.1. First Presidency letter, Feb. 11, 1999.)

9. What is the Church’s role? The Church plays a supportive role. The Church plays a supportive role. The Church does not take the place of parents in fulfilling their divinely appointed duties to their children. The Church does not take the place of parents in fulfilling their divinely appointed duties to their children. The Church assists in teaching the rising generation. The Church assists in teaching the rising generation. The Church provides an environment for gospel learning, service and socialization. The Church provides an environment for gospel learning, service and socialization.

10. Counsel regarding the duty of parent’s to their children “As parents, we are to be the prime gospel teachers and examples to our children—not the bishop, the Sunday School, the Young Women or Young Men, but the parents. As their prime gospel teachers, we can teach them the power and reality of the Atonement— of their identity and divine destiny—and in so doing give them a rock foundation upon which to build. When all is said an done, the home is the ideal forum for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Tad R. Callister, Sunday School General President, lds.org/generalconference 10/14.)

11. Counsel regarding the duty of parents to their children “Do our children receive our best spiritual, intellectual, and creative efforts, or do they receive our leftover time and talents, after we have given our all to our Church calling or professional pursuits?” (Tad R. Callister, Sunday School General President, lds.org/generalconference 10/14.)

12. Questions Are we giving our children our best efforts? Are we giving our children our best efforts? Are we prioritizing our jobs over our duties to the children? Are we prioritizing our jobs over our duties to the children? Are we prioritizing our church duties over our duties to our children? Are we prioritizing our church duties over our duties to our children? How can we achieve a greater balance so that our duties to our children are the highest priority? How can we achieve a greater balance so that our duties to our children are the highest priority?

13. Activity As husband and wife, honestly evaluate your performance as a parent against the counsel of the leaders of the Church. As husband and wife, honestly evaluate your performance as a parent against the counsel of the leaders of the Church. Identify areas that need improvement. Identify areas that need improvement. As a companionship make a plan of action to improve. As a companionship make a plan of action to improve. Resolve to act. Resolve to act. Assess your efforts on a regular basis with your companion. Assess your efforts on a regular basis with your companion.