Righteous Traditions

What kinds of traditions do we have?

Are they what we want them to be?

Are they based on actions of righteousness and faith?

Are they mostly material in nature, or are they eternal?

Are we consciously creating righteous traditions?

Are our traditions being created in response to the loud voices of the world, or are they influenced by the still, small voice of the Spirit?

Are the traditions that we are creating in our families going to make it easier for our children to follow the living prophets, or will they make it difficult for them?

There is only one way to become personally converted. It is through a witness of the Spirit as we study these very scriptures that testify of Jesus Christ. It comes as we pray and as we fast. It comes only when we have a deep desire to know the truth. Our motivation must be to openly seek truth rather than justify our actions by finding fault with the scriptures, the teachings of the prophets, or the Church itself. Our effort must be toward hearing the interpretations of the Spirit rather than the understandings of the world. We must be willing to open our hearts and minds, accept the Lord’s way, and, if need be, change our lives. Our personal conversion comes as we begin to live the way the Lord wants us to live – steadfast and immovable in keeping all of the commandments, not just those that are convenient.

Our traditions of Sabbath day observance, family prayer, family scripture study, service and activity in the Church, as well as patterns of respect and loyalty in the home, will have a great effect on our children and on their future.

Now, the important thing is that we consistently work to do these things. We will not be perfect at it, and our families will not always respond positively, but we will be building a strong foundation of righteous traditions that our children can depend on. They can hold to that foundation when things get difficult, and they can return to that foundation if they should stray for a period of time.