Brothers and sisters, I have recently been pondering this
question: If all that your children knew of the gospel
came from you--as their only source--how much would they
know?
This question applies to all those who love,
mentor, and influence children.
Is there any greater gift that we can impart to our children
than a memory burned deep into their heart
that we know that our Redeemer lives?
Do they know that we know?
And more important, have they come to know for themselves
that He lives?
When I was a boy, I was my mother's most difficult
young child to raise.
I had an overabundance of energy.
My mother tells me that her greatest fear
was that I would not live to see adulthood.
I was just too active.
I remember as a young boy sitting
in one particular sacrament meeting with our family.
My mother had just received a new set of scriptures.
This new set combined the entire standard works
into one bound edition, and in the very center
was lined paper for note taking.
During the meeting, I asked if I could hold her scriptures.
With the hope of promoting my reverence,
she handed them down the pew.
As I perused her scriptures, I noticed
that she had written a personal goal in the note section.
To provide context for her goal, I
must tell you that I am the second of six children
and my name is Brett.
My mother had written, in red, just one goal: "Patience
with Brett!"
As further evidence to help you understand
the challenge my parents faced in raising our family,
let me tell you about our family scripture reading.
Each morning, my mother read the Book of Mormon
to us during breakfast.
During this time, my older brother, Dave, and I
would sit quietly but irreverently.
To be completely honest, we weren't listening.
We were reading the print on the cereal boxes.
Finally one morning I decided to square up with my mother.
I exclaimed, "Mom, why are you doing this to us?
Why are you reading the Book of Mormon every morning?"
I then made a statement that I am embarrassed to admit to.
In fact, I can't believe I actually said it.
I told her, "Mom, I am not listening!"
Her loving response was a defining moment in my life.
She said, "Son, I was at a meeting
where President Marion G. Romney taught about the blessings
of scripture reading.
During this meeting, I received a promise
that if I would read the Book of Mormon
to my children every day, I would not lose them."
She then looked me straight in the eyes
and with absolute determination said,
"And I will not lose you!"
Her words pierced my heart.
Notwithstanding my imperfections,
I was worth saving!
She taught me the eternal truth that I am a son of a loving
Heavenly Father.
I learned that no matter what the circumstance,
I was worth it.
This was a perfect moment for an imperfect little boy.
I am eternally grateful for my angel mother
and for all angels who love children perfectly,
notwithstanding their imperfections.
I firmly believe that all sisters--I will call them
"angels"--are mothers in Zion, whether or not they are married
or bear children during this earthly experience.
Years ago the First Presidency proclaimed: "Motherhood
is near to divinity.
It is the highest, holiest service
to be assumed by mankind.
It places her who honors its holy calling and service
next to the angels."
I am grateful for angels throughout the Church who
boldly and lovingly proclaim eternal truth to Heavenly
Father's children.
I am grateful for the gift of the Book of Mormon.
I know that it is true!
It contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am unaware of anyone who is diligently
reading the Book of Mormon each day with pure intent
and with faith in Christ who has lost their testimony
and fallen away.
Moroni's prophetic promise carries with it the key to know
the truth of all things--including having
the ability to discern and avoid the deceptions
of the adversary.
I am also grateful for a loving Heavenly Father
and for His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Savior provided the perfect example
of how to live in an imperfect and unfair world.
"We love him, because he first loved us."
His love for us is immeasurable.
He is our truest friend.
He sweat "as it were great drops of blood"
for you and also for me.
He forgave the seemingly unforgivable.
He loved the unlovable.
He did what no mortal could do: He provided an Atonement
to overcome the transgressions, pains,
and sicknesses of all mankind.
Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ,
we can live with the promise that no matter what
our struggles may be, we can always
have hope in Him, "who is mighty to save."
Because of His Atonement, we can have joy, peace, happiness,
and eternal life.
President Boyd K. Packer stated: "Save
for the exception of the very few who defect to perdition,
there is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression,
no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise
of complete forgiveness.
That is the promise of the atonement of Christ."
One of the most incredible events in human history
is the Savior's ministering visit
to the ancient inhabitants of America.
Visualize in your mind what it would
be like to have been there.
As I have pondered His loving and tender
care of that band of Saints gathered at the temple,
I have reflected on individual children whom
I love more than life itself.
I have tried to conceive of how I would feel
to behold our little ones, to personally witness
the Savior inviting each child to come unto Him,
to witness the Savior's outstretched arms,
to stand by as each child, one by one,
gently feels the prints in His hands and in His feet,
and then to see each of them stand and bear record
that He lives!
To have our children turn and say, "Mom, Dad, it's Him!"
I don't know if anything in this world
could bring more happiness and joy than to know
that our children know the Savior, to know that they know
"to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
That is why, as members of the Church, "we preach of Christ"
and we testify of Christ.
That is why we pray with our children every day.
That is why we read the scriptures with them every day.
That is why we teach them to serve others,
so that they can hold claim upon the blessings of finding
themselves as they lose themselves
in the service of others.
As we devote ourselves to these simple patterns
of discipleship, we empower our children
with the love of the Savior and with divine direction
and protection as they face the fierce winds of the adversary.
The gospel is truly about the one.
It is about one lost sheep; it is
about one Samaritan woman at a well;
it is about one prodigal son.
It is about one little boy who might
claim he is not listening.
It is about each one of us--as imperfect as we may
be--becoming one with the Savior as He is one with His Father.
I testify that we have a loving Heavenly
Father, who knows us by name!
I testify that Jesus Christ is the living Son of the living
God.
He is the Only Begotten and our Advocate with the Father.
I further testify that salvation comes in and through His
name--and in no other way.
It is my prayer that we will devote our hearts and our hands
to helping all of Heavenly Father's children
to know Him and feel His love.
As we do, He promises us eternal joy and happiness in this world
and in the world to come.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.