Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-03-17
DEsERET EVENING NEWS: SATURDAY, MARCH II, 1900.

that are 20 numerous, the Efforts that
have to be put forth TO fulfil the duties
resting upon us, and | realize Il Is Diff
hcult TO change these things but / do
believe that the presiding authorities
OF the Church Of Jesus Christ OF Latter
day Saints. with their great body Of
Priesthood, must In the future look
more carefully after the spiritual we'll
being Of their families than many OK
them may have been able to do In the
past The Gospel has TO be preached,
the organizations Of the Church have to
be kept up, the ylsitatiOns among the
people and their instruction in the prln-
clples OF the Gospel should be main
tained BY the organizations set apart
by our heavenly Father FOR the per-
formence OF this sacred duty; but I
cannot believe that II was His design,
In the creation Of these Quorums and
organizations, and IN imposing upon US
the obligation Of securing the necessi-
ties Of life. that we should gradually
dfift away from the performance Of the
sacred duties In the home circle and the
thoughtful and prudent watchcare
necessary 20 the good and wellbeing OF
our sons and daughters. II the min
istr0tion OF the Teachers IN the differ
ent wards were carried out as perfect
~ as Il was designed they should be,
they whose duties required them 10 be
much flOIn home would have cause 10
feel that their families were not left
altogether without spiritual instruction
and guidance. In rejecting upon this
matter ! have thought that perhaps
our time IL not 10 well divided as IL
should be. ] have heard men say that
weeks and months 20 by and they
never sit down OF an evening with their
families one duty requires them to-
night, another duty tomorrow night;
and SO on week In and week out. When
the husband gets home at night, per-
chance the wife and the children have
retired 10 rest; and when they arise in
the morning. all Is hurry and hustle for
the children 70 80 TO school, OF for him
TO go TO his days labor. Thus step
by step, by reason Of the cares and
responsibilities resting upon us. we are
cut OF from being in complete unison
and touch with our own households
Our children expect US but little OF the
time; they hear from us but seldom
and that probably In the way Of rebuke
FOR some neglected duty or for not re.
spending TO the wishes OF their mother;
and there Is danger OF our boys and
girls growing altogether out Of our
companionship, and forming associa.
tions OF character that we cannot ap-
prove. The home should be the most
pleasant place In the world for them:
but sometimes, owing 10 father being
away, and mother not able to give that
attention to II that she should like, we
lind the home not the enjoyable and
companionable place that II should be.
The boys go of, the girls scatter; and
sometimes they go In directions that
forebode to them unhappiness and
misery.
SHIELDING INFLUENCE OF THE
HOME CIRCLE.
! do not know that | can offer any
suggestion that would better the Efforts
that have been made or reach the me-
cessities Of my brethren and sisters In
connection with this matter; but II
seems 70 me that | am finding II my
bounden duty TO sit down In my own
home circle occasionally. and strive 10
be In closer communion with my FAM
ily so that the spirit Of love and unison
may be with us, and that We may main
tain a good understanding with each
other / ask you, brethren and sisters,
10 reflect upon this. You fathers OF
families, weigh the circumstances sur
rounding you. and see 20 II that the
spirit OF love. Kindness and devotion
shall be maintained In the home circle
so perfect and complete that none shall /
drift away from that influence. This
spirit should be characteristic OF the
homes of the Latter-d0y Saints In ey-
cry place and In every condition, that
the faith which God has given us may
not die out from the minds Of our chill !
dren, and that their associations and |
may not be formed |
along lines that are not In keeping with |
the spirit Of that work which TO our
minds should be above all things in the |
world. We may be eminently success
full IN the discharge OF our duties In the |
Priesthood and 40 great good In minis
tering TO the wants OF others, but II |
one by one our own sons and daugh- |
tiers shall drift away from US. how |