The best of times and the worst of times

Every family has been through moments of sunshine and flowers and then moments of darkness and rain. That is bound to happen because as humans we all have the right to our agency and we will all make decisions that will affect our family for good and for bad.

Just the other day night I was on campus because our internet wasn't working at our apartment to finish up some homework; I watched as two friends walked out of a class and were talking. One of them asked the other if they were OK, and the she fell apart. I watched the friend give her a hug and try to comfort her as she listened to her pain from finding out her brother was leaving the gospel. (They were right next to my table.. I could hear everything)
How often does this happen? It doesn't even have to be that they leave the gospel, it can be any part of our lives that they choose to leave and it is earth shattering! Our families and homes are supposed to be our strength and our shelter from the storm, but sometimes a storm rages within.

In regards to family members leaving the gospel, there is hope! We have been taught about the atonement and the sacrifice our Savior made so we could return home to our Heavenly Father. But there is more that can also help save them. A husband and wife who have sealed in the temple for time and all eternity, have not just given themselves the blessings of being exalted, they have also given them to their children (Hawkins, 173). "Joseph Smith declared-and he never taught more comforting doctrine-the the promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would not only save themselves, but likewise their posterity...." (Hawkins, 173).

Oh but the anguish during the time that the child is straying is so hard. Parents pray, pray, and pray for the return of their child. Sometimes parents will become angry and frustrated because they feel like their prayers are not being heard. About this very thing "Elder John K. Carmack explained: Typical and normal parental reactions [to family problems with wayward children] include sorrow, despair, desperation, depression, feelings of guilt and unworthiness, and a sense of failure. In such circumstances, parents may also experience anger and withdrawal and may feel like simply giving up. These reaction usually make matters worse, deepening the problems they face" (Hawkins, 172).

In order to make sure that our children are kept under our covenant blessings, we need to make sure that we are living up to our temple covenants. The children can't be saved unless we fully live up to our covenants. The idea of being bound by the covenants was emphasized by President Boyd K. Packer, "Now, sometimes there are those that are lost. We have the promise of the prophets that they are not lost permanently, that if they are sealed in the temple ordinances and if the covenants are kept [by parents], in due time, after all the correction that's necessary to be given, that they will not be lost" (Hawkins, 173).

Think of the story of the prodigal son. He took his inheritance (the knowledge of the gospel in our context) and he left. After he had lost everything he had, he was humbled and came back to his father. This is just like the way it is when our children leave the gospel. We have to let them use their agency, but we cannot give up our own faith.

I am not yet a parent so I cannot say that I have experienced these things, but I have seen families that have and I have always admire the strength of the parents who have continued to love their children and live the gospel.