Other Conference Talks
Our review of these particular Conference talks is not intended to imply that those we
didn't review were of any lesser importance.

SATURDAY MORNING SESSION

The first messages in this Conference were exhortations to "gird up" and do the job we were sent here to do.  Then came the "how to" messages.  This was a wonderful conference with plenty of unspoken validation of homeschooling.

President Boyd K. Packer (The Power of the Priesthood) told us that the "authority of the priesthood" is
worldwide; now we need to put the power in it. "We have done very well at distributing the priesthood" but "The priesthood does not have the strength that it should have and will not have until the power of the priesthood is firmly fixed in the families as it should be."

Julie B. Beck (And upon the Handmaids in Those Days Will I Pour Out My Spirit) told us not to be "babies that need petting and correction all the time" and gave us permission to take a pencil to prayer.

Bishop Keith B. McMullin (Our Path of Duty) spoke of "a moral imperative summoning forth from individuals and communities that which is right, true, and honorable. . . ." and that we are "duty bound" to magnify our talents and be good people to bring peace to the world and make it a better place.

Elder M. Russell Ballard (Mothers and Daughters) said, "The Church will help wherever we can. We are there to support and sustain you as parents and as children. But the home is the most important place to prepare the youth of today to lead the families and the Church of tomorrow."

President Henry B. Eyring, "Help Them on Their Way Home" spoke of the Protected years before baptism and told us that these children are to be protected. He encouraged us to focus more on keeping our youth on the path home and rescuing them at the first sign of wandering. (see our separate article about this talk)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

Elder L. Tom Perry (Mothers Teaching Children in the Home) set the stage by describing how his mother taught her children both secular and religious subjects in the non-school hours. This message is about self-reliance in education - the job is ours, the office is at home, parents control who does the teaching and they control the time.  (see our separate article about this talk)

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (The Blessing of Scripture) told about the heavy price paid for scripture, the fact that talks such as General Conference are scripture, and that we need "constant recourse to the scriptures."

Homeschool application: Homeschoolers should always have Family Home Morning with meaningful scriptures study. The scriptures are the center of our curriculum. All else branches off from there.  Just as the Relief Society is teaching its history, we should teach our children the history of the scriptures to help them appreciate this gift.  Little children should be taught to read using a simple phonics approach such as the one on our website, but they should also be included in the reading of the Book of Mormon.  Former BYU professor, Dr. Grant Von Harrison, showed us scientifically how the Book of Mormon helps children become better readers. Read the article here.

Elder Bruce A. Carlson (When the Lord Commands) spoke of "selective compliance" and said "too hard" is not an acceptable excuse. He quoted the Prophet Joseph: "I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it."

Homeschool Application: Sometimes "selective compliance" is what we do when we excuse the public schools from the counsel about fleeing evil and standing in holy places.

Elder David A. Bednar (Watching with All Perseverance) told us to read and talk about the Book of Mormon, and he taught us to teach our children to act, or take responsibility for their own education, rather than being acted upon.  (see our separate article on this talk)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul) said, "Above all, start by separating yourself from people, materials, and circumstances that will harm you. As those battling something like alcoholism know, the pull of proximity can be fatal. So too in moral matters. Like Joseph in the presence of Potiphar's wife, just run-run as far away as you can get from whatever or whoever it is that beguiles you. He also says, "the only real control in life is self-control."

Homeschool application: When the critics complain about "in the world but not of it," you can tell them that you are still in the world but you "ran" from Potipher's wife in obedience to a prophet. Since self-control is the real control, when thinking of sending a child to a class in a school, the questions are: has the youth developed more self-control than Satan has enticements? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? His the youth as protected as church missionaries are?

PRIESTHOOD SESSION

David L. Beck (The Magnificent Aaronic Priesthood) told the Young Men to "strengthen and bless your family. This is your greatest priesthood duty." And then, "rescue others.

Homeschool application: Homeschoolers have the advantage of time and efficiency, so we can certainly help our sons make their Duty to God program the core of their life.

I do not concede that young men have to be in public school to find others to rescue, unless the Lord so directs. I do think we need to find creative ways to reach out to others. One way might be to set up tutoring services. If I were a Seminary principal, I'd be tutoring in the building after school.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Continue in Patience) again told the youth that the most important priesthood service "is indeed the loving service within the wall of your own homes." He reminded us to govern by the 121st Section.

I can see that as the control over our lives by conspiring men becomes more onerous, the power of the priesthood will become greater. What a time to live!

Homeschool application: If you follow the footnotes for the word "sharpness" you will find that it means "the pure word of God."

Regarding service, Raymond and Dorothy Moore, who are now deceased, made a great contribution to the homeschool movement which is very much in line with our doctrine: The website is: http://moorefoundation.org

THE MOORE FORMULA
1) Study from a few minutes to several hours a day, depending on the child's maturity.
2) Manual work at least as much as study.
3) Home and/or community service an hour or so a day.

This talk made me think of the Bible Dictionary entry under "Education" which says:

Up to six years of age a child was taught at home, chiefly by the mother (cf. 2 Tim. 1: 5). The schools that all boys from six years old had to attend were generally held in the synagogues. Until a boy was ten no textbook was used but scripture. The aim was to encourage study by sense of duty rather than by reward or fear. Reading, writing, and grammar were taught, and in order that teaching might be thorough, no class even in the elementary school might exceed 25 pupils. The "religious question" could not exist in Jewish education any more than in Church schools today, for the whole purpose of education was religious.

We might do well to follow a similar pattern and to have the same mindset about the "religious question" as we prepare our youth for their "important mission" to represent the Savior on earth.

President Thomas S. Monson (Preparation Brings Blessings) gave homeschoolers two important thoughts: He quoted from the "For the Strength of Youth" book about dating: "Not all teenagers need to date or even want to." And he said, "'If you ever find yourself in a place where you shouldn't ought to be, get out!' Good advice for all of us."

Homeschool Application: One of the great things about homeschooling is that our youth can move from childhood to adulthood without wasting their time and money in the teenage culture. I wonder if that statement about not wanting to date is in the book because the prophets hope to see less teenage romance. Maybe dating should be reserved for those who are ready to marry.

We might also set up youth groups where good speakers from the church and the community present a lecture, demonstration, or discussion followed by a dance or party. That's been my dream for a long time. I see it coming in the BYU-I Pathways program as groups of off-campus students in four other states work independently on line and get together for classes at the Institute. Watch the video at: http://www.byui.edu/pathway/video.htm

SUNDAY MORNING SESSION

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (You Are My Hands) spoke of Jesus and said "He did not remove Himself from the crowd." Does that mean we should not remove ourselves from any crowd?

Elder Richard G. Scott (He Lives! All Glory to His Name!) spoke beautifully about the Atonement and then talked of the callings of father and mother as "the most important callings in time and eternity" and the only assignments from which we will not be released. He encouraged us "to teach true principles within the sanctity of our homes" and to make the Savior "the center of your home."

Homeschool application: Of course, the center of a child's home isn't likely to become the center of a child's life if he is never home.

Elder Donald L. Hallstrom (Turn to the Lord) This was one of several talks about death.

Homeschool Application: Homeschool moms have many days of overwhelm and sometimes consider giving up and sending their children away. When this happens to you, turn to this talk and take for your motto "giving up is not an option."

Cheryl C. Lant (That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior), who is the designer of our church nursery program, talked about teaching little children, reminding us several times of our sacred responsibility to be examples to our children in our own love of the Lord. "We might ask: 'What do my children see when they look at my face? Do they see the image of the Savior in my countenance because of how I live my life?'" "It is up to us to protect [our children] from influences that detract from the Spirit."

Homeschool application: We need to focus more on teaching our children the gospel in the early years. Think about the mother of Jesus and how she must have paid careful attention to her responsibility. Maybe she had fewer distractions.

And we must protect our young children from every danger except the indispensable hours at preschool. Yes, that is a bit sarcastic. And I'll admit that if I were called to the nursery I'd want to redecorate with large pictures of the Savior, a white tablecloth (plastic covered), soft music (hymns), a rocking chair for story time, and baby dolls.

Elder Quentin L. Cook (We Follow Jesus Christ) spoke of making resolutions and commitments to do better, of being "civil in our discourse and respectful in our interactions," and disagreeing appropriately."

Homeschool application: From the early years we ought to some purposefulness in teaching our children personal leadership. This talk would certainly be a resource in that study. Each member of the family should come away from any General Conference with some goals.

And, of course, we should follow Elder Cook's counsel to, "run as fast as we can to the high ground He has provided for safety and peace." Except during school hours.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

Elder Russell M. Nelson (Generations Linked in Love) spoke of family history work.

Homeschool application: Our curriculum is not the world's curriculum. We can do family history work any day and all day. We can study the countries of our ancestry and take our youth to do baptisms during a school day. Hallelujah!

Elder Robert D. Hales (Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation) gave a talk with powerful application to homeschooling. As I went through the text of the talk on my computer screen, bolding all the places I had highlighted in previously readings of my printed copy, I was sorry I hadn't done a whole article on it. Then in the dark and quiet of the night I listened to the talk again and the central message jumped right out. It is given in this story:

"Recently I heard a mother recount how she had helped her first three daughters complete their Personal Progress requirements by doing what was expected-staying informed and signing off projects. Then she tenderly explained, tears flowing down her cheek, "Recently I have been working with my fourth daughter by actually doing her projects with her. It has made all the difference in our lives and our relationship. But oh, what sadness I feel when I realize what I lost by not doing this with my other three daughters." The saddest words of tongue and pen are those that say, "It might have been!

Adult members of the Church should understand that Personal Progress and Duty to God requirements are not just lengthy lists of items to check off. They are personal goals set by each young man and young woman to help them become worthy to receive temple ordinances, serve missions, enter into eternal marriage, and enjoy exaltation. But let it be understood: for young men and young women to try to accomplish these goals alone would be a great loss and tragedy!

I went back to the printed text and, just for fun, counted the paragraphs before and after those two verses. Twelve before, and twelve after. I think that qualifies it as a form of chiasm, the ancient literary structure where the central message is exactly in the middle. (A Sunday School teacher had just taught us this in our lesson on the book of Jonah. Chapter 2 Verse 8 is the middle scripture and the message of the story.)

Homeschool application: Engage!

Elder Hales said, "To truly understand their hearts, we must do more than just be in the same room or attend the same family and Church activities." In our recent Stake Conference Priesthood Session all the willing priesthood was put under covenant to complete the Duty to God program. I hope they remember Elder Hales' admonition: "Fathers, mothers, and leaders of youth, we urge you to participate in Personal Progress and Duty to God with your children and with the youth."  Are we going to assure that no child or ours goes through this program without us? And will we help others when we can?

There is still more; please study the whole talk.  You may want to put it in your Homeschool Handbook.  (What's a Homeschool Handbook?  It's whatever you choose, but it should include your personal testimony, your spiritual creation of your homeschool and your family, and talks and other scriptures that support and guide your beliefs.  There is a handbook for every organization in the church; parents should develop their own family handbook which would include a section for their responsibilities and duties and one for those of their children.)

"The greatest love and the greatest teachings should be in our homes."

Elder Bradley D. Foster (Mother Told Me) told two sweet stories," one about a dad reading a book with his son and the other about cows and their calves in a roundup. Then he said, "By divine design, nurturing seems to be part of the spiritual heritage given to women. I've seen it in my daughters, and now I see it in my granddaughters-even before they could walk, they wanted to carry and care for their little baby dolls."

Homeschool Application: For the last decade my daughter and I have shopped at Christmas time and felt great sadness over the dearth of baby dolls in the stores. Technology has replaced nurturing for little girls. Generations of taking little girls out of their homes certainly hasn't been good for motherhood. If we are going to rear girls to be mothers before career women, the girls need to be home where the babies are.

Mothers should read this talk often and remember this quote that Elder Foster shared from President Joseph F. Smith: "The love of a true mother comes nearer [to] being like the love of God than any other kind of love." And mothers should take special care to assure that their daughters have baby dolls.

Elder James B. Martino (All Things Work Together for Good) quoted President Thomas S. Monson: "I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish-and in effect save their lives."

Homeschool Application: A reminder that service is an important part of our homeschool and that we learn to serve by service in the family. "Live for themselves" is the base of teenage culture.

Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer (Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others) talked about Mary and Martha and pointed out that Martha was actually "a person of deep spiritual character who had a bold and daring testimony…" He said "Many blessings in life are missed because worldly judgment was applied to what was really a spiritual decision."

Homeschool Application: Actually, this may be applicable to those who judge homeschoolers.

Elder Francisco J. Viñas (Things Pertaining to Righteousness) is one of my favorite speakers -- I love his voice. He repeatedly admonished us to teach the "things pertaining to righteousness."

Homeschool Application: One of our past LDS-HEA Conference speakers, Donna Neilsen, told a story about a bank manger whose responsibilities included teaching the tellers how to recognize counterfeit money. Asked if he had a suitcase full of phoney money to use in teaching, he said, "I would never let them be exposed to counterfeit money. I drill them so carefully and so thoroughly on what genuine money looks like that they are able to immediately detect false currency." Something to think about.

"As parents and leaders we need to watch over our members and families, helping them to stay away from those things that could lead them to a spiritual death."

Elder Neil L. Andersen (Tell Me the Stories of Jesus) asked, "Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children?" "….do they pray for miracles in their own lives?" "….my counsel is to speak more frequently about Jesus Christ. In His holy name is great spiritual power." That is interesting because we know the Jewish people avoided speaking His name as a sign of respect, and Americans often go to the other extreme by displaying it on shirts and bumper stickers. So where should we be? In the middle, on high ground.

Speaking of a deceased father, Elder Andersen quoted the son who said, "Every morning without fail we were there at the table before school reading and discussing the scriptures."

Homeschool Application: How nice it is to be "at the table" in the morning, as a family school, and be able to stay as long as we want.

President Thomas S. Monson (A Word at Closing) closed the conference. All these messages had been sandwiched between opening and closing greetings from this beloved Prophet who invoked "the blessings of heaven" upon us. "I pray our Heavenly Father will bless you and your families. May the messages and spirit of this conference find expression in all that you do-in your homes, in your work, in your meetings, and in all your comings and goings." - JK

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