To properly instill the value of the priesthood in our children and to teach them to sustain those who hold the priesthood, we must first realize the importance and validity of the priesthood in our own lives.
Searching modern and ancient scriptures, and pondering and praying are always important in gaining a testimony of the priesthood, and, thus, sustaining a priesthood holder. Then we can add the following:- Engender support of our priesthood holders. Let them know how much we value the sacredness of their obligations. Encourage them to do all of their callings, never quibble about time spent doing the Lord's work. Explain that our Heavenly Father needs our husband, daddy, etc., to do His work. Stress the importance of our love and support in sharing the blessings that come from honoring and sustaining our priesthood leader.
Encourage the priesthood holder to use the power of the priesthood in the home, and explain the faith and the obligation that goes with priesthood blessings. These blessings include the comfort that comes from a priesthood blessing in the middle of the night, a father's blessing of a child on the first day of a new school year, a father's blessing when decisions are to be made, and a priesthood blessing to members of his family when they are troubled.
Realize the basic necessity is to first and foremost teach respect for the priesthood of God. Teach in our homes gratitude and thankfulness for having the priesthood on the earth. Always speak up for righteousness as we support our priesthood leaders on every level, and guard our tones to not speak ill of the Lord's servants. - Sarah K. Hammarstrom, Manteca, Calif.
How we did it:
Prayers sustain him
Our four children continue to amaze and touch me with the ways they sustain my husband as the priesthood holder in our home. My husband is bishop of a large ward. Even precious evenings when he is at home, the phone can take him away as we prepare for family prayer. Wherever Church service has taken "our bishop," the children simply pray harder for him that evening. They feel they can help Dad through stressful times with their prayers. When it comes time for family prayer or heart-to-heart talks, our children's loneliness for Dad's presence is not echoed with resentment but with honor and respect, and a true desire for him to be guided and return safely. I feel it is their prayers that sometimes sustain him on long nights, and help him to feel so at peace when he arrives home.
This respect is carrying on now as our eldest son received the Aaronic Priesthood. His siblings are anxious to have him to Church on time and watch their brother pass the sacrament. - Kristin Salvesen, Santa Maria, Calif.
Highest priority
My wife and children are so devoted to the priesthood power and principles that they put much trust in me as the priesthood holder in our home. This makes me feel obligated to make this trust the highest priority in my thoughts and actions.
I am fortunate enough to have a wife who believes in me so strongly and in the priesthood I hold so deeply that she trusts in me 100 percent to lead family affairs and to exercise righteously the powers and commission I have. She encourages me to use it in behalf of family, callings, self and even in temporal affairs. - Noel Duerden, Indianapolis, Ind.
Higher power
In the week following the death of my dear husband I awoke early one morning thinking that the priesthood was no longer in my home. Through much prayer and study that day I soon came to realize that the feeling I had awakened with really was not true. The realization and feeling penetrated my soul that the priesthood was more than my husband's physical presence to lay his hands upon our heads in times of need. It is the higher power, the power and authority of God.
With this testimony given to me I called the children together, and we talked about the fact that even though their daddy wasn't here on earth with us, that as worthy members of the Church, we have access to the blessings of the priesthood. We talked about how we must continue to honor the priesthood. Through prayer, scripture study, family home evening, and loving ward and family members we have gained a greater testimony of the priesthood and feel so very grateful that the Savior would love us enough to allow this power to be in our home. - Jill Allsop, Bountiful, Utah
Develop testimony
Methods that can help one to sustain priesthood holders in the home include the following:
Develop a testimony of the necessity and significance of the priesthood.
Make an effort to learn about the offices and quorums in the priesthood.
Create an organized home. This will allow the priesthood holder in the home to fulfill his callings without mass confusion.
Live righteously. Setting a good example is often more impressive than giving sound advice. - Carol L. Wambolt, Lubbock, Texas
Follow counsel
I am a single mother with two teenage daughters and a granddaughter. We have no direct priesthood holder upon which to depend, but that does not absolve us from honoring the priesthood and supporting those who hold it.
We are blessed with wonderful home teachers. We know that we can call on them for any of our needs and they will find us the help that we need. We have not hesitated to call. What a blessing their priesthood power is in our lives. We pray for them and their families often in our family prayers.
Another way we honor the priesthood is to pray consistently for our bishop, his counselors, our stake president, his counselors and the members of the high council. We try to always remember that they are the direct emissaries of our Heavenly Father and they will be inspired to direct us in the way that we need. We ask for advice and help when we need it and strive to follow the counsel given us, even when it is difficult to do so. - Patricia Cundiff, Las Vegas, Nev.
Lighter heart
Several years ago, Elder James E. Faust, then a newly called apostle, presided at our stake conference to effect a change in the stake presidency. After being interviewed by Elder Faust, we were called and invited to meet again with him. Anxiety accompanied our drive to the stake center and within the hour my husband was called as the new stake president. Elder Faust asked if I could support my husband in this new calling. I nodded in affirmative. Sensing my deeper feelings, Elder Faust tenderly reiterated: "Can you support this good man in the home with fresh white shirts, warm meals, contented children and order? This will be of great importance to his success." My mundane duties suddenly had the appearance of Christlike service and with a lighter heart I answered with renewed affirmation. - Connie W. Watts, Grapevine, Texas
How to checklist:
1 Pray for those who hold the priesthood; express support.
2 Develop testimony of priesthood; live righteously.
3 Encourage use of priesthood; seek its blessings.
4 Honor the priesthood; be a good example.
WRITE TO US:
May 6 "How to draw closer to those to whom you are assigned as a home or visiting teacher."
May 13 "How to cope with and find peace after the death of a child."
May 20 "How to find joy in work."
May 27 "How to turn trials into blessings."
June 3 "How to protect your home against evil influences."
June 10 "How to be tolerant of others' lifestyles without compromising your standards."
Had any good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our readers in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110, or send fax to (801) 237-2121. Please include a name and phone number. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Due to limited space, some contributions may not be used; those used should not be regarded as official Church doctrine or policy. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.
