November 4, 2009 - GIFT OF DISCERNMENT

So yesterday Tammie and I were talking about parenting and how difficult it can be and the topic of discernment came up. I truly believe that it is not possible to raise children without the gift of discernment. I cannot count how many times I have been aware of saying and doing things beyond my own understanding and ability for the benefit of my family members. In D&C 46 verse 8 reads "Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts..." It is so easy to be deceived by the philosophies of man and by the limited viewpoint of mortality in our parenting. And so I encourage all of you to earnestly seek the Gift of Discernment that "ye may not be deceived". This same sections tells us what we must do to receive gifts of the spirit. Verse 7 says to 1. ask, 2. apply the gift in holiness of heart, 3. walk uprightly, 4. remember the end of your slavation (or in other words, keep an eternal perspective), and 5. be grateful for the gift. So, the first step is to ask. Ask in every prayer for this gift. And remember why you are asking for it - remember that it is for your family. Keep them in mind and eternity in mind. It is hard, but try. And last, I love verse 9 because it gives us hope. "They (the gifts) are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandmets, and him that seeketh so to do." In other words, you don't have to be a perfect parent to receive the gifts you need in parenting; you just have to be seeking to be a perfect parent. And since the Lord wants us to be good parents, you can receive this gift.