A Mormon Woman's Reflections on Life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Mormon leader, Apostle Robert Hales Speaks on Understanding Youth's Hearts at the April 2010 General Conference Session of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

“What is our responsibility in engaging the youth of our families and our generation?” Apostle Robert Hales warmly inquired of those listening to the April 2010 session of Mormons’ Annual General Conference on a cooler-than-spring day in the Salt Lake environs. Spoke Elder Hales:

We need to listen and know the hearts of our youth, and connect with them; it’s not just to be in the same room or attending the same meetings.

Apostle Hales encouraged us to dig deeper into the hearts of our children. I have to say that this reflects the desires of my own heart and my consistent pleas and prayers–to know more and more of the intricacies of who they are, what they might fear that they don’t even realize, each hope they have, every weight and every moment of joy and pleasure, more of their insights and learning ah-has, more of what passes through the screen of their minds as they process information, events, relational issues, and study and strive to apply the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mormon apostle, in one of several Mormon conference talks about the relationship between parents and children, encouraged us to do what would invite our closeness in their lives on a continual basis:

Ask questions, talk, and listen, yes, listen, even hearken with spiritual ears.

As Mormon leader and apostle of the Savior, one of 12 in our day, Elder Hales recalled how his grandchild once snuggled between him and a newspaper he was reading and asked, “Grandpa, are you in there?”  Full of double-entendre, Elder Hales then turned to ask us poignantly the same respective question.

Using scouting camp-outs as one example of a planned youth activity, Elder Hales noted,

I’ve learned what makes these activities most worthwhile is for a scout to sit down with a leader and talk and be heard; it is not just the earning of merit badges that is meaningful.

Questions for Us to Ponder and Act On:  Engaging Mormon Families

• As you drive or walk children to school, do you use the time to discuss their fears, and hopes, and joy, and take out the Ipod devices, so they can feel your love?  The teaching moments provided in my youth
• Is the whole family at the dinner table?  ”It’s not the food but the family interaction that nourishes the soul.”
• Grandpa, Grandma, are you there?  Mom, are you there?
• Are you participating with your youth in Personal Progress? not just checking off the list but participating in the activities they do?  If so, you will grow and they will grow.
• In the planned activities, ask, “Do these activities always accomplish their most important purpose?”

When we have a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, a family home evening, we have the opportunity to tell them we love them as we look in their eyes, and tell them how fortunate they are to be part of our family and of the temple covenants that will bind us forever, if we live accordingly.

Apostle Robert Hales asked us to bear our testimony of the gospel, share our love of our children on this Easter day.  The greatest rescue, the greatest family history, legacy, heritage, he testified, will come from our homes and our teachings and love and testimonies therein for the generations that follow us.