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Question

 

Dear Gramps,

I raised five children in the LDS church. They went to church every Sunday and were fully active. We however took little time to ever read scriptures or pray together as a family. We never talked about the gospel principles in our home, rarely if ever held Family Home Evening, or taught our children how to live valiant lives. Now that my children are grown, my eldest has left the church, one had an abortion, another cheated on their spouse, and the other two are Ok. I feel that I hold some responsibility for their actions based on the way they were raised. Thanks.

Mothering

 

Answer

 

Hi Mothering,

I believe it is very natural for a father or a mother to wonder if their children’s choices are from what they did, or did not do as they were raising them.

The truth of the matter is that as parents we do hold some responsibility for all our children’s actions while they are within our home. We have a responsibility before our Father in Heaven to teach, preach, guide, and direct the lives of our children.

When they are of a specific age, their choices are then theirs, and their actions they must take full responsibility for. However, any loving parent, if a child should stray will have the tendency to feel that they did something wrong.

I wonder if Mosiah and Alma the older felt similarly when their sons went about seeking to destroy the Church of God. Alma had one son, whereas Mosiah had four sons which decided to rebel. I would be surprised if they did not feel any responsibility for their son’s actions.

Sincerely,

 

Gramps

 

 

 

 

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