Jacob 2:35


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35 Behold, ye have done greater iniquities than the Lamanites, our brethren. Ye have broken the hearts of your tender wives, and lost the confidence of your children, because of your bad examples before them; and the sobbings of their hearts ascend up to God against you. And because of the strictness of the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with deep wounds.

Quotes for Discussion

Father’s bad example

Consider this sobering forecast: "About 40 percent of U.S. children will go to sleep in homes in which their fathers do not live" (David Blankenhorn). Some estimate this will rise to 60 percent. This same commentator has written, "Fatherlessness is the engine driving our most urgent social problems, from crime to adolescent pregnancy to domestic violence" (ibid.). Such outcomes, brothers and sisters, unfortunately, constitute America’s grossest national product, produced in the slums of the spirit created by spreading secularism!

Neal A. Maxwell,

Ensign, May 1995 [salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1995], 67

A word to adults and parents. Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s father counseled that when we violate any commandment, however small, our youth may choose to violate a commandment later on in life perhaps 10 times or 100 times worse and justify it on the basis of the small commandment we broke (Conversation with Brit McConkie).

Vaughn J. Featherstone,

Ensign, Nov. 1999 [salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1999], 14

Sometimes bad examples, or "the uncertain sound of the trumpet," which children receive in the home comes in the form of criticism of Church authorities, or in speaking kind words and thoughts outside the home but within it speaking words which are harsh and brusque. The sound is unclear if children observe the payment of tithing when and if it is convenient, or if they hear justifications for not paying it in moments when faith weakens. It is a distorted sound when they see that observance of the Sabbath depends on which sport event is scheduled for the day, or if the weather is ideal for an outing.

Those who act in this manner can be compared to the person whom President Hugh B. Brown described when he said, "He who knows the precepts and neglects to obey them is like one that lights a candle in the darkness and then closes his eyes." (

Relief Society Magazine, Oct. 1969, 725 Angel Abrea, in Conference Report, Apr. 1984 [salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1984], 97-98

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Children are always watching their parents and pick up on everything good and bad. Elder Walter F. Gonzales, one of the presidents of the 70, spoke to my mission back in 2005. He told the story of one time where he went into his room knelt down and began to pray. He poured out his soul to his Father to bless his family. He prayed for each one of them by name in great length and detail. In the end, he closed "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

To his surprise another "Amen," sounded from beneath his bed. He looked under to see his young son, about 8 years old, hiding under the bed.

We all laughed at the story, but Elder Gonzalez made a powerful point. He said his son would grow up knowing for fact that his father loves him enough to pray for him, and to do so in great detail.

Imagine if his son had heard him swear, or lie, or if he saw Elder Gonzales do something in violation of the commandments. While yes, the child still has his agency, how much easier will it be for him to do the same as his father?

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