A mother’s role is being a teacher to her children. As a Latter Day Saint, I have learned we were all born as spirit children to Heavenly Father before we were born to our earthly parents. We are a “Heritage of the Lord.” “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, has made me more mindful of my responsibilities towards my children. I realize how much I didn’t know when raising them in spiritual matters, teachings, family prayer or going to church. That was before I joined the Church. They have become good children and I am blessed to have them.
When I was called in Primary as a teacher in 2007 in Kingston Branch, I was frightened. I said, “No, I can’t deal with people’s children. I have no patience and I will hate it!” But after a few weeks I began to understand the children. I loved to sing the songs and see how innocent they are. This all makes me a better person. The lesson manuals taught me how to teach them love, to care and nurture them, and this has helped me to be a better grandmother than when I was a mother to my children.
Today, as Primary President, these are some of the things I have learned. Heavenly Father entrusted His Spiritual Children to earthly parents. Children are entitled to a loving relationship with their parents. Parents should seek to meet each child individual needs. Children bring great joy into their parents’ lives. Parents should not abuse their children. It is against God’s law (Matthew 18:6). Children are gifts from Heavenly Father and a “Heritage of the Lord.”(Psalm 127:3) Parents the assume responsibility to love and cherish their children and lead them to eternal life.’
I know God lives and that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer, who died on the cross for my sins.
Helen Young, Calliaqua Branch Primary President. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Not ony is she a wonderful Primary President but she also feeds 20 children sandwiches and cake every Sunday in Primary. She and her husband, President Verrol Young, were the first Senior Couple Missionaries from the West Indies Mission. They served in Guyana and St. Lucia.