A Soft Answer

I've had laryngitis since Saturday. I haven't been able to raise my voice above a whisper; finally today my voice is sort of coming back, but my neighbor said I sound like a grouchy man so I'm back to whisper for now:).

But it's taught me a lot. Things have gone so smoothly! And that's not to say my 2-year-old hasn't thrown tantrums about the same things he throws tantrums about everyday, that my 4-year-old hasn't stopped talking back, or that my 8-month-old doesn't scream between every bite since we just can't feed him fast enough. Pretty much nothing has changed except me, and that's made all the difference. I can't grouch right back at my kids when they're cranky, or yell to tell them to hurry and get their shoes and get in the car. Less than 4 days ago I'd yell because I'd start quiet and they wouldn't hear me and then I'd get louder and louder and louder and say the same thing again and again - and usually my kids still weren't listening til they finally turned around and saw that I was mad at them. Doesn't seem quite fair to anyone does it?

Without a voice, I've taken an extra second or two to consider my response, and I have seen that truly "A soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1).

Families

Today, I would just like to testify of the importance of families. One of the main reasons we are here on this earth is to get married and have children and teach them the ways of our Heavenly Father. I have wonderful parents who did that. I was raised by a mother who was virtuous and taught me to be proud I am a woman. I was raised by a father who demonstrated righteous dominion in our home. He displayed characteristics that I wanted in a future spouse and taught me to value the priesthood. 

I grew up and got married and I married a wonderful priesthood holder who takes care of us and helps us all be better. I try my best to be a virtuous woman, like my mother. I want my children to grow up and be glad that they had righteous parents. I recognize that not everyone has that, and it breaks my heart. But whatever your background is, I challenge you to improve on it. Make your home better than the one you grew up in. Satan knows how crucial the family is and we have to be ever stronger than previous generations to keep him out of our homes. With the lack of structure in families that exist in our society, we can see that our society is headed down a dangerous path. 

People have commented to my husband and I about not wanting children. They say that they are too much work and it isn't worth it. But to those who choose not to have a family, I say "It is worth it!" There are hard days but it is worth every long night, every snotty nose, and every tantrum to see your children choose righteous paths and learn the things that you try so desperately to put in their heads. Children are a blessing from God. Families are central to His plan. I challenge everyone to create a stronger family shield against the Evil One and put in more effort to teach your children righteous ways. 

---Jashley