At our stage of life, I was grateful with his closing paragraph which included' "My remarks today have been addressed primarily to parents, but the principles apply to everyone." This certainly applies to the focus words of his talk, "DO" and "BE" which permeate the counsel throughout. "BE without DO really isn't being - it is self-deception, believing oneself to be good merely because one's intentions are good."
Most of us have our to do lists so that we can make important progress during each day, but what a concept to think about a to be list. This kind of list cannot be checked off like the to do list because our to be's are never done in this life. They are however the motivators of our to do's. Character can be observed by a person's actions and so our motivation to become like Christ will be reflected by our actions and choices, our To Do's.
I love his comment regarding the raising of children. "A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?"
It is important not to label people or children with words such as "stupid," "slow," "lazy," or "clumsy." Maybe you can add some labels to this list but we must always be careful about putting people into such identity destroying labels. What about the question to a child; "What are you going to be when you grow up?" That puts profession, occupation, or trade as the identifier in their mind instead of the deeper and more important question of what attributes, qualities or virtues are most important. Back to the question of what to be versus to do.
Thank you, Brother Robbins.
I thought Elder Robbin's comment, "To BE or not to BE ?" is actually a good question. "BE" begets "DO". His comment about parenting 101 or 505 was an eye opener. Although I have heard in the past that a child that challenges you the most was given to you because you are the one who the Lord trusted this, HIS child with. We need to compliment achievement. Praise diligence, not just good grades. Pray for gifts from God. We need to be the kind of parent our Father in Heaven is to us.
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