Nervous and apprehensive, I approached the interviewer with equaled hesitation.
She wants my advice and opinions about marriage, parenting, and family life.
However, I'm not a natural speaker. Thoughts come by writing them, not speaking them.
Sitting down, I braced myself. I looked at the "reporter" and smiled.
She smiled back and then we laughed.
There was nothing to worry about!
Wow! My first interview about marriage and parenting. How appropriate that the interviewer was
my daughter whom is taking a Family Science class at school. One of her assignments is interviewing her parents about marriage, child raising, and family life. She sent me copies of my responses so I can include them as my thoughts for today:
Question #1: What are some of the patterns you have tried to follow in building our
family?
“I have followed the pattern set forth by the
prophet - to hold family scripture study, family prayer, family home evening, to
attend the temple, and attend church meetings. I have followed the pattern of
Elder Faust, when he instructed us to insulate our family from the world, not
isolate. I follow the pattern from Elder Oaks to choose the best things,
then the better, then the good. I follow the teachings of Elder Bednar to be
consistent, because a successful family is a big picture made up of small
choices and decisions. Most importantly, I have tried to follow the Savior’s pattern
to love and serve, forgive and be charitable.”
Question #2: Who do you trust, and why?
“I trust my husband. I trust my mother, and my siblings. I trust the
prophet. I trust my children. I trust my bishop, and my friends. I trust the
Savior, and Heavenly Father. I trust these people because they have a record of
loyalty, honesty, and being there for me at crucial times in my life. I trust
them because they are dependable, have integrity and do the things they say
they will do. They live by a like set of values and high standards.”
Question #3: How do you know the
prophet is true?
à "I know the prophet is true because the Holy
Ghost has witnessed to me that the words the prophet speaks are of God. When I
hear the prophets speak, I feel comfort and peace and excitement that he is
speaking to me. I know God will not let His prophet lead His people astray.”
Question #4: Why is it important
to put family before work and other responsibilities?
- “Family should be put above other
responsibilities because families are eternal, and the family relationship
will be carried with us after we die. We want to strengthen it, and give it the
time that it needs. Putting family first shows loyalty to those we love, builds
unity, provides vital opportunities to communicate, and memories that will last
forever.”
Question #5: How can you love both
God and your spouse “with all thy heart”?
- "By making God a partner in your marriage you
have the added blessings of forgiveness, loyalty, honesty, charity, and
compassion. When both husband and wife love God with all their heart by obeying
the commandments, reading the scriptures, praying together, going to the
temple, and attending church meetings, loving God with all thy heart, comes
naturally.”
Question #6:How has God helped you
become a good parent? What are some of the revelations / spiritual insights you
have received about parenting?
- “God has helped me in parenting by blessing me with qualities that
are needed to be successful - patience, long-suffering, forgiveness,
avoiding selfishness, charity, and love. Through prayer, scripture study,
temple attendance, and inspiration from the Holy Ghost, God has taught and
directed me. I have received many spiritual insights from teaching a specific
child to read, handling behavior problems, determining their love language,
solving issues, encouraging responsibility, and increasing spirituality. All
children are vastly different and no method or approach works the same for all
children. I need God’s help to show me the right way.”
Question #7: Why is marriage good for
people? How has it been good for you?
- “Marriage is good for people because it provides stability,
safety, loyalty, and an eternal relationship that can be counted on. Having a
marriage partner is comforting because I always have someone to turn to, to
talk and discuss with, to work towards a common goal with, and someone I can
rely on to take care of our family. The marriage commitment is a blessing that
affects not only the couple, but the children who feel confident and secure with
two parents who love one another and work towards a common purpose.”
Question #8: What do you want your
family to say about you at your funeral?
- “I would want my family to say that I attempted
to maintain the eternal perspective through all aspects of my life. I
completely dedicated my time and talents to serving my family and those around
me. I was valiant and dedicated to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and
encouraged my family to do so as well. I always tried to choose the best and
show love and gratitude to my husband and children daily. I chose to prioritize
my time so that God’s will became my will.”
Question #9: What one change, if you
implemented consistently and well, would result in a positive significant
difference in your family?
- “The change that would make the biggest change in my family
is if I did not have to help provide for our family's material welfare. Even
though I am able to work from home, a significant portion of my day is taken
up by my employment that could otherwise be given to more
important matters of the family, home and its relationships.”
Question #10: How did you establish
and maintain your marriage?
"My
marriage was established by going to the Oakland, California temple on May 8,
1992 - sealed for time and all eternity. We established principles of
kindness, respect, defined roles, unity, hard work and loyalty. We made our
marriage first – before extended family, which is important to do when first
married so that parents and siblings do not get in the way of your relationship.
We maintain our marriage by keeping our covenants, communicating, serving,
praying, going to the temple, working on oneself, accepting, encouraging, and
forgiving."
More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!
