How to Apply the 14 Gospel Principles in Parenting

How to Apply the 14 Gospel Principles in Parenting

Raising children is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of life. It’s not just about providing them with food, clothing, and shelter, but also helping them grow into responsible, compassionate adults who can make positive contributions to society. In this article, we’ll explore how applying the 14 Gospel Principles can help make parenting more effective and fulfilling.

The 14 Gospel Principles

The 14 Gospel Principles were introduced by Elder Russell M. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These principles teach us how to live happier, more fulfilling lives by living according to Christ’s teachings.

The 14 Gospel Principles are as follows:

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Repentance
3. Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost
4. Prayer
5. Scripture study
6. Keeping the Sabbath day holy
7. Honesty
8. Tithing
9. Word of Wisdom
10. Service
11. Education
12. Work
13. Family
14. Temple ordinances and covenants

Applying the 14 Gospel Principles in Parenting

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ:
Having faith in Jesus Christ means trusting in Him and His teachings. As parents, we can teach our children about Jesus and His gospel through regular family scripture study, family prayer, attending church services as a family, and sharing our testimonies with our children. We can also encourage our children to pray, read their scriptures, and attend church meetings.

2. Repentance:
Teaching our children about repentance is essential in helping them develop personal accountability for their actions. As parents, we can teach our children that repentance is a process of confessing, asking for forgiveness, and making restitution. We can also encourage our children to apologize when they’ve done something wrong and to forgive others when they’ve been wronged.

3. Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost
Baptism is an essential ordinance in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As parents, we can prepare our children for baptism by teaching them about its importance and helping them understand the covenants they make at baptism. We can also teach our children about the gift of the Holy Ghost and how it can help guide them throughout their lives.

4. Prayer
Teaching our children to pray is an essential aspect of helping them develop a relationship with God. As parents, we can teach our children to pray by example, regularly praying together as a family, and encouraging our children to pray on their own.

5. Scripture study
Regular scripture study helps our children learn about the gospel and develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As parents, we can read the scriptures with our children, study the Come, Follow Me curriculum, and encourage our children to read the scriptures on their own.

6. Keeping the Sabbath day holy
Keeping the Sabbath day holy is essential to help our children develop a Christ-centered life. As parents, we can attend church services together as a family, avoid shopping and other activities on Sunday, encourage rest and relaxation, and engage in meaningful activities.

7. Honesty
Honesty is an essential Gospel Principle that helps us build trusting relationships with our children. As parents, we can teach our children to be honest by example, encourage them to tell the truth, and provide consequences when they’ve been dishonest.

8. Tithing
Tithing is an expression of our faith in God and our willingness to follow His commandments. As parents, we can teach our children about tithing by setting an example and encouraging them to pay tithing on their allowance or income.

9. Word of Wisdom
Teaching our children about the Word of Wisdom helps them to respect their bodies and make healthy choices. As parents, we can teach our children about the Word of Wisdom by setting an example, discussing its principles, and following its principles ourselves.

10. Service
Service is a fundamental Gospel Principle that helps us grow in love and compassion for others. As parents, we can encourage our children to perform acts of service, including volunteering, donating to charity, and helping others in need.

11. Education
Education is a Gospel Principle that helps us develop our talents and abilities. As parents, we can encourage our children to seek education, including formal schooling, personal enrichment, and self-study.

12. Work
Teaching our children the value of work helps them develop a strong work ethic and prepares them for the responsibilities of adulthood. As parents, we can encourage our children to work hard, foster independence and self-reliance, and provide opportunities for them to work and earn money.

13. Family
The family is the fundamental unit of society and is central to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As parents, we can teach our children to prioritize family relationships, communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and develop a sense of unity and purpose.

14. Temple ordinances and covenants
The temple is the most sacred place on earth and is where we can make important covenants with God. As parents, we can teach our children about the significance of the temple, explain the temple ordinances and covenants, and encourage them to prepare themselves to go to the temple.

Conclusion

By applying the 14 Gospel Principles in parenting, we can raise children who are grounded in Gospel truths and who will grow up to contribute positively to society. The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides a framework for living that is both fulfilling and productive, and as parents, we have the responsibility and privilege to teach our children these principles. May we strive to apply them in our daily lives and help our children do the same.