Ezra Taft Benson

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Education

Ezra Taft Benson a modern day prophet of The Church of Latter-day Saints and the prophet of my teen years said the following:

Let us never lose sight of the fact that education is a preparation for life -- and that preparing for life is far more than knowing how to make a living or how to land on the moon. Preparing for life means building personal integrity, developing a sound sense of values, increasing the capacity and willingness to serve. Education must have its roots in moral principles. If we lose sight of that fact in our attempt to match our educational system against that of the materialists, we shall have lost far more than we could possibly gain. [The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, 1988) p. 297].

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Third, mothers, take time to read to your children. Starting from the cradle, read to your sons and daughters. Remember what the poet said, "You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be--I had a mother who read to me" (Strickland Gillilan, "The Reading Mother"). You will plant a love for good literature and a real love for the scriptures if you will read to your children regularly.

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Ninth, mothers, take time to teach your children. Catch the teaching moments. This can be done anytime during the day--at mealtime, in casual settings, or at special sit-down times together, at the foot of the bed at the end of the day, or during an early morning walk together. Mothers, you are your children's best teacher. Don't shift this precious responsibility to day-care centers or babysitters. A mother's love and prayerful concern for her children are her most important ingredients in teaching her own.

Teach children gospel principles. Teach them it pays to be good. Teach them there is no safety in sin. Teach them a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and a testimony of its divinity.

Teach your sons and daughters modesty and teach them to respect manhood and womanhood. Teach your children sexual purity, proper dating standards, temple marriage, missionary service, and the importance of accepting and magnifying Church callings.

Teach them a love for work and the value of a good education.

Teach them the importance of the right kind of entertainment, including appropriate movies, and videos, and music, and books, and magazines. Discuss the evils of pornography and drugs and teach them the value of living the clean life.

Yes, mothers, teach your children the gospel in your own home, at your own fireside. This is the most effective teaching that your children will ever receive. This is the Lord's way of teaching. The Church cannot teach like you can. The school cannot. The day-care center cannot. But you can, and the Lord will sustain you. Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed--their truly angel mother.

Mothers, this kind of heavenly, motherly teaching takes time--lots of time. It cannot be done effectively part time. It must be done all the time in order to save and exalt your children. This is your divine calling. [From To the Mother’s in Zion, 1987 see http://www.byu.edu/fc/ee/w_etb87.htm for full text.]

Have good associates or don't associate at all. Be careful in the selection of friends. If in the presence of certain persons you are lifted to nobler heights, you are in good company. But if your friends or associates encourage base thoughts, then you had best leave them. (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 562)

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Parents are directly responsible for the righteous rearing of their children, and this responsibility cannot be safely delegated to relatives, friends, neighbors, the school, the church, or the state. [Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.499] (God, Family, Country, pp. 224-25.)

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In an eternal sense, salvation is a family affair. God holds parents responsible for their stewardship in rearing their family. It is a most sacred responsibility. [Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p.502] (CR October 1982, Ensign 12 [November 1982]: 59.)

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Some textbooks and teaching aids used in our public school systems present theory, and in some cases falsehood, as truth. [Ensign, May 1981, p. 35]

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"Anything that is contrary to your standards, that goes against correct principles, will trigger a warning...when you feel these warnings, get immediately away from danger. The best help you can have during critical moments will be the Holy Ghost...He will reveal to you what is right and what is strong, and help you make correct decisions. But, you must live worthily in order to receive his help. (New Era, July 1993, p.4)

Last update: November, 2006

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