Mosiah 25:12

[pam]

Mosiah 25:12 

12 And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulon and his brethren, who had taken to wife the daughters of the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their fathers, and they would no longer be called by the names of their fathers, therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephi, that they might be called the children of Nephi and be numbered among those who were called Nephites.

Quotes for Discussion

“One of the greatest things a man can do for his children is to love his wife and let them know he loves her. A father has the responsibility to lead his family by desiring to have children, loving them, and by letting virtue garnish his thoughts unceasingly (see D&C 121:45). This is one of the great needs today.”

Ezra Taft Benson (God, Family, Country, p. 185)

“We are actively engaged in teaching fathers to be compassionate fathers, and mothers full-time mothers in the home. Fathers are commanded to take the lead in all spiritual matters. We encourage parents to teach their children fundamental spiritual principles that will instill faith in God, faith in their family, and faith in their country. We plead with parents to spend time with their children, both in teaching them and in building positive relationships. These are the things that create and foster strong family units and stable society.”

Ezra Taft Benson (BYU, June 29, 1986)

“In the past twenty years, as homes and families have struggled to stay intact, sociological studies reveal this alarming fact: much of the crime and many of the behavioral disorders in the United States come from homes where the father has abandoned the children. In many societies the world over, child poverty, crime, drug abuse, and family decay can be traced to conditions where the father gives no male nurturing. . . . We need to honor the position of the father as the primary provider for physical and spiritual support. I state this with no reluctance because the Lord has revealed that this obligation is placed upon husbands. . . (D&C 83:2, 4; 84:99; 29:48). No one would doubt that a mother’s influence is paramount . . . Fathers seem best equipped to prepare children to function in the environment outside the family. One authority states, ‘Studies show that fathers have a special role to play in building a child’s self-respect. They are important, too, in ways we really don’t understand, in developing internal limits and controls in children.’ He continues, ‘Research also shows that fathers are critical in establishment of gender in children. Interestingly, fatherly involvement produces stronger sexual identity and character in both boys and girls. It is well established that the masculinity of sons and the femininity of daughters are each greater when fathers are active in family life’ (Karl Zinsmeister, ‘Do Children Need Fathers?’ Crises, Oct. 1992). . . . I urge the husbands and fathers of this church to be the kind of a man your wife would not want to be without.”

James E. Faust (Ensign, May 1993, pp. 35-36)

“You adult brethren, may I suggest an ‘I will’ for us . . . It is I will resolve that the leadership of family will be my most important and sacred responsibility; and I will not leave the teaching and governance of my family to society, to the school, or the Church. . . . Perhaps you have heard some say, ‘I am so busy with living and providing that I have little time to devote to my family, but I make an effort to see that my limited time is quality time.’ Brethren, this type of rationalization is severely flawed. Effective family leadership requires both quantity and quality time. . . . May we never be too busy to do the things that matter most; to preside in righteousness in our homes. . . .”

H. David Burton (Ensign, Nov. 1995, pp. 44-45)