Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-24
GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES

4 friend writes TO US from Arizona,
concerning the responsibility Of pa
rents for the salvation of their chill
dren" He cites some queer local say
ings in relation 10 this matter, which
he claims have made impressions upon
many minds and caused much discus
sion on the subject. our correspond
ent advances some of HIS own ideas,
which we do not think IL necessary TO
publish. but win proceed 10 answer
his question.
That parents are responsible for the
proper care, instruction, support and
training Of their children, at any rate
until they come to years of account
ability and are competent TO Judge and
act for themselves, we do not think
will be disputed by any sentient person.
Parents are IN duty bound to provide
for their children all that Is needful,
until they are able to provide for them
selves. In some Instances. this re-
sponsibllty may extend still further.
No parent with natural affection would
permit son or daughter to suffer for
material necessities, II able to furnish
them.
Proper education IL required. that
children may not grow w In ignorance,
but may be qualified for the duties of
life. Moral training and good exam
ole are also parts Of parental duty
Among the I.atter-day Saints Gospel
teaching by parents to their children
is required, and they are commanded
by direct revelation to commence that
instruction az soon az the children are
capable OF understanding IT, Herein
Is the special duty devolying upon
mothers, who have the little ones con-
stantly under their care. While the
father may be absent at his daily la
Dor or business, the mother has OPP
portunitios for making impressions
upon the tender minds Of her offspring,
which will be everlasting. Concern
ing this duty the word OF the Lord is;
And again. inasmuch as parents
have children IN Zion or In any OF her
Stakes which are organized, that teach
them not to understand the doctrine OF
repentance faith I'm Christ the son
OF the living God, and of baptism and
the gift of the Holy Ghost by the lay
ing ON Of the hands when eight years
old, the sin be upon the heads OF the
parents. For this shah be a Law
unto the inhabitants Of Zion, or In any
of her Stakes which are organized
And their children shall be baptized
FOR the remission OF their sns wher
eight years old and receive the layinf
on Of hands And they shall also teach
their children 10 pray and 10 walk mp
rightly before the Lord'-Doc. anc
GOV, Sec. xviii, 25-2s.
The period for baptism and confirma-
ton thus announced does not relieve
parents Of the responsibilities which wt
have briefly mentioned. They contin-
ue as long as parents are able to exer-
uise good influence over their offspring
But il must be understood that every
human being is endowed with the pow
err OF volltion and the right Of agency
These may be exercised az soon as tho
child Is able 10 clearly understand right
from wrong. The age at which this
power becomes developed varies great
IT, Patience, watchcare, diligence and
application are necessary on the part
uf parents. and obedience is required
of the children hut the dispositions
o. the little ones differ widely, and nc
rigid rule can be- made of universal ap.
plicatlon in the treatment and training
df the Young. Wisdom. discretion, die.
oernment are necessary, so that each
budding mind may bo treated accordms
TO IT'S capacity and peluliaritles.
The power Of example Is very great
Children viii be- apt to pattern aftei
the acts Of their parents as rule, ana
therefore all precept should be support
ed By proper example Had habits IT
the parents are likely TO be- repeated II
the children Il rs therefore impera
tive that good teaching shan be on
forced by good example. Train up
child in the way IL should 20 and wher
II Is old Il will not depart therefrom.
was wise saying at the time when tn
proverb-writer was wise man. /
viii hold good In general application