Latter Day Saints' Messenger and Advocate/Volume 1/Number 10/Children

KIRTLAND, OHIO, JULY, 1835.

Children.

In the most friendly manner, but with some feelings of regret, we shall endeavor to lay before the saints the absolute necessity of training up their children in the way they should go, that they may be saved while it is called to day, for tomorrow cometh the burning. We look to parents and guardians, in the church of Latter Day Saints, with intense interest, and anxious desire, for the welfare of the children under their care and direction. The Lord now, as in days of old, has given express commandments for the benefit of children; and where parents or guardians, suffer children to grow up without observing these commandments strictly; without instructing them in the laws, covenants, and holy precepts, which have been given for their guidance, to lead them into the kingdom of the Lord, the sin will rest upon their heads and not upon the children.

This is not all: any unlawful indulgence; every unholy license; every unsanctified principle, and every foolish practice, allowed to children, is an abomination in the sight of God. Shall the disciples of the living God walk in the paths of vice and folly, with impunity, and claim the name and blessings of saints?

Many things are wrong: not only children bring a reproach upon the glorious cause of our Redeemer, but even some elders stoop from the responsible and holy office to which they have been exalted by the voice of the Spirit, to the frivolous practice of playing ball, and other vain amuzements [amusements]. Who is he that disrespects the ordinances of the house of the Lord? who but he that disgraces his own reputation? "He that receiveth my law," saith the Lord, "and doeth it, the same is my disciple: and he that saith he receiveth it, and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you."

The practice of suffering boys and girls to be strolling about the streets without any business, is unrighteous, and leads to vice; to vicious habits; to laziness; to profanity and disobedience, and, without speedy repentance, will leave many souls to reap the reward of their folly in outer darkness, where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

But how much more is the heart of a saint pained to witness such unhallowed conduct on the holy Sabbath; especially if the house of worship is made the place of such abomination, and public worship disturbed by the running and yelling of a parcel of ungained children before the Lord?

Are the children entirely to blame for such insults upon our holy religion? Are they to be their own reformers? let those interested answer: for already, like an uncultivated field, full of sturdy weeds, we behold such follies. How vain! How transient! How degrading! How destructive to the peace and happiness of the Latter Day Saints! Alas! it is, like the pestilence, walking in darkness and wasting at noon day! Beware lest the Lord chastise in his hot displeasure!

The saints' children should be brought up as ensamples of virtue, of piety, of modesty, and good breeding, for others, that they, seeing every action well seasoned with godliness, righteousness and decorum, may be constrained to exclaim:—How good and pleasant it is to see brethren dwell together in unity, and children brought up in holiness! We will go and do likewise.

It is a vain speculation to think of living without manners, politeness, or learning as may have been taught by some of the untaught elders of the church. The Lord has had respect unto us, and do let us have virtue enough to respect each other, for this is right and acceptable unto him.—Moses, who was a man of God, was a pattern of meekness and manners: It reads in Exodus: "And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obedience, and kissed him, and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent." So much for a sample that our forefathers did obedience to each other, (not however wishing to introduce the custom of kissing for a salutation,) honor to whom whom honor is due.

While on such an important subject, the words of Paul to his Corinthian brethren may not be amiss: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" It is honorable and just to treat all with decency, respect and politeness, but to see a young brother or sister, associating, or more properly making bosom companions of those who believe not, but spurn the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ, is so far from patterning after the order of heaven, that we wonder how such members can expect to be in fellowship with those that mean to be saved by walking in all the ordinances of the Lord blameless, and keeping his commandments continually. Treat those without the kingdom with tenderness and respect: train up your children to serve the Lord and not satan, that they may shun the cunningly devised fables of this perishing generation.—Save yourselves.