To: Members of the Church Throughout the World
(To Be Read in Sacrament Meeting and Delivered by Home Teachers)
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
All about us we see evidence of the corrosive elements
targeted to injure our youth. We compliment most warmly those of
our young people who choose to follow the way of the Lord and the
program of the Church. We are pleased to note that faith is
increasing among our youth, for which we are deeply grateful.
Unfortunately, there are some who fall into the adversary's
net and drift into inactivity and trouble. We are deeply concerned
with these.
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.
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.
We urge bishops and other Church officers to do all they can
to assist parents in seeing that they have time and help, where
needed, as they nurture their families and bring them up in the
way of the Lord. Wherever possible, Sunday meetings, other than
those under the three-hour schedule and perhaps council meetings
on early Sunday mornings or firesides later in the evening, should
be avoided so that parents may be with their children. As we
strengthen families, we will strengthen the entire Church.
Faithfully your brethren,
The First Presidency
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