Tad R. Callister: Parents: The Prime Gospel Teachers of Their Children

In my opinion, children are one of the greatest blessings a couple can receive. I say this with some degree of saddness because I am neither a wife or a mother. Those are blessings I have yet to receive. Despite my childless state, I still appreciate lessons about parenting because I want to prepare myself to be a great mother when the opportunity does arrive, and because I work with teen parents and I wish to help them become the best parents they can be.

As a teacher, I see every day the impact parents have on their children. I always have, and I always will, testify of the great importance and influence righteous parent can have on their children. There is little that I can do as a teacher to establish the foundation my students will rely on for the rest of their lives. I can try to strengthen those foundations and I can provide my students with opportunities to grow, but it is their parents who established the vital foundation that they will build on for the rest of their lives.

Tad R. Callister: Parents: The Prime Gospel Teachers of Their Children

Read or watch the full talk here

One thing that I appreciated about Brother Callister's talk was his inference that being a parent is a calling. I do not point this out because I am not a mother, but because I truly believe that being a parent is the most important calling a person can have. According to Brother Callister, the duty of each parent is to teach their children, "the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost."

I know that when I become a parent I will join the ranks of the many others who are responsible for teaching these beautiful truths. But I also know that I do not have to wait until I am a parent to prepare for this responsibility or to start acting on this responsibility. I can, and I should, start now. 


The greatest teacher I know is Jesus Christ and He taught by example. So I will strive to do the same.

So, while I wait (not entirely patiently) for the opportunity to be a wife and mother, I will strive to live a righteous life and to be an example to those I encounter every day. Hopefully I can be a blessing in their lives just as they are a blessing in my life.