Children

“Our children don spiritual armor as they establish patterns of personal daily discipleship.” (Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, “A Sin-Resistant Generation,” General Conference, April 2017)

“Teaching children to keep simple promises when they are young will empower them to keep holy covenants later in life.” (Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, “A Sin-Resistant Generation,” General Conference, April 2017)

“The consistent practice of promise keeping is spiritual preparation for children to receive their first covenant of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, wherein they covenant to serve God and keep His commandments.” (Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, “A Sin-Resistant Generation,” General Conference, April 2017)

“If we don’t teach our children and youth true doctrine–and teach it clearly–the world will teach them Satan’s lies.” (Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women General President, “Rise Up In Strength, Sisters in Zion,” General Conference, October 2016)

“Feeling and recognizing the Spirit will bring spiritual capacity into our children’s lives, and the voice they come to know will become clearer and clearer to them.” (Mary R. Durham, Primary General Presidency, “A Child’s Guiding Gift,” General Conference, April 2016)

“We need not fear as we see our children enter the waters of life, for we have helped them rid themselves of worldly weight. We have taught them to live for the guiding gift of the Spirit. This gift will continue to lighten the weight they carry and lead them back to their heavenly home if they live for it and follow its promptings.” (Mary R. Durham, Primary General Presidency, “A Child’s Guiding Gift,” General Conference, April 2016)

“One of the greatest influences a person can have in this world is to influence a child. Children’s beliefs and self-worth are shaped early in their lives. Everyone within the sound of my voice has the power to increase a child’s confidence in himself or herself and to increase a child’s faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the words they speak.” (Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, “The Words We Speak,” General Conference, April 2013)

“To speak to a child’s heart, we must know a child’s needs. If we pray to know those needs, the very words we say may have the power to reach into their hearts.” (Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, “The Words We Speak,” General Conference, April 2013)

“The answer to our prayer of how to meet our children’s needs may be to more often technologically disconnect. Precious moments of opportunity to interact and converse with our children dissolve when we are occupied with distractions.” (Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, “The Words We Speak,” General Conference, April 2013)

“Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting information. It’s helping our children get the doctrine into their hearts in a way that it becomes part of their very being and is reflected in their attitudes and behavior throughout their lives.” (Cheryl A. Esplin, Primary General Presidency, “Teaching Our Children to Understand,” General Conference, April 2012)

“Our role as parents is to do all we can to create an atmosphere where our children can feel the influence of the Spirit and then help them recognize what they are feeling.” (Cheryl A. Esplin, Primary General Presidency, “Teaching Our Children to Understand,” General Conference, April 2012)

“Sometimes the most powerful way to teach our children to understand a doctrine is to teach in the context of what they are experiencing right at that moment. These moments are spontaneous and unplanned and happen in the normal flow of family life. They come and go quickly, so we need to be alert and recognize a teaching moment when our children come to us with a question or worry, when they have problems getting along with siblings or friends, when they need to control their anger, when they make a mistake, or when they need to make a decision.” (Cheryl A. Esplin, Primary General Presidency, “Teaching Our Children to Understand,” General Conference, April 2012)

“These precious children of God come to us with believing hearts. They are full of faith and receptive to feelings of the Spirit. They exemplify humility, obedience, and love. They are often the first to love and the first to forgive.” (Jean A. Stevens, Primary General Presidency, “Become as a Little Child,” General Conference, April 2011)

“No child needs to walk the path alone so long as we speak freely to our children of the plan of salvation. Understanding the plan will help them hold to the truths that they are children of God and He has a plan for them, that they lived with Him in the premortal existence, that they shouted for joy to come to this earth, and that through the Savior’s help, we all can return to our Heavenly Father’s presence. If they understand the plan and who they are, they will not fear.” (Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, “Stay on the Path,” General Conference, October 2010)

“We begin to make the plan known to our children when we hold tight to the iron rod ourselves.” (Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, “Stay on the Path,” General Conference, October 2010)

“The world will teach our children if we do not, and children are capable of learning all the world will teach them at a very young age. What we want them to know five years from now needs to be part of our conversation with them today. Teach them in every circumstance; let every dilemma, every consequence, every trial that they may face provide an opportunity to teach them how to hold on to gospel truths.” (Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, “Stay on the Path,” General Conference, October 2010)

“We must show our children and youth how to strengthen their faith and testimony of Jesus Christ by strengthening our own through studying the scriptures and through prayer, personally as well as with them.” (Mary N. Cook, Young Women General Presidency, “Be an Example of the Believers,” General Conference, October 2010)

“The account in 3 Nephi can help us bring our children to Him because it gives us a pattern to follow. First, we must love the Lord with all our hearts, and we must love our children. Second, we must become a worthy example to them by continually seeking the Lord and striving to live the gospel. Third, we must teach our children the gospel and how to live its teachings.” (Cheryl C. Lant, Recently Released Primary General President, “That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior,” General Conference, April 2010)

“As we are filled with the love of the Lord, we can love. He might weep over what we do, but He loves us and is always there to help us. That is how we must learn to love our children.” (Cheryl C. Lant, Recently Released Primary General President, “That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior,” General Conference, April 2010)

“We are the angels that Heavenly Father has sent today to bless the children, and we can help them to one day see the face of the Savior as we teach the principles of the gospel and fill our homes with the joy of living them.” (Cheryl C. Lant, Recently Released Primary General President, “That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior,” General Conference, April 2010)

“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?” (Cheryl C. Lant, Primary General President, “Righteous Traditions,” General Conference, April 2008)

“love and nurture your children. Tell them you love them. Put your arms around them. Appropriate physical affection will accomplish miracles. Express kind words. Show them by example how to work. Teach them to pray.” (Barbara Thompson, Relief Society General Presidency, “I Will Strengthen Thee; I Will Help Thee,” General Conference, October 2007)

“Children are open to gospel truths more than at any other time, and protected childhood is literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to teach and strengthen children to choose the right.” (Margaret S. Lifferth, Primary General Presidency, “Behold Your Little Ones,” General Conference, October 2006)

“Personal obedience and example in every part of our lives are the ultimate gospel lessons for children. So study, learn, and apply the gospel. We cannot teach principles that we do not know and that we do not live. Who we are and what is in our heart are discerned by children more quickly than we think.” (Margaret S. Lifferth, Primary General Presidency, “Behold Your Little Ones,” General Conference, October 2006)

“It is precisely because it is not easy to bring children to the Savior that we must come to Him ourselves.” (Margaret S. Lifferth, Primary General Presidency, “Behold Your Little Ones,” General Conference, October 2006)

“As you encircle your children with your love, they will catch glimpses of His love.” (Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society General President, “Eternally Encircled in His Love,” General Conference, October 2006)

“Be there for your children. Sit on the bed and enjoy the late-night talks—try to stay awake! Pray for the Lord to inspire you. Forgive often. Choose your battles. Testify frequently of Jesus Christ and His goodness and of the Restoration. And most of all, let them know of your trust in the Lord.” (Bonnie D. Parkin, Relief Society General President, “Sweet Moments,” General Conference, October 2005)

“As you include children at your family dinner table, as you involve them in daily family prayer and scripture study and in family home evening, you are following the example of the Savior by loving and teaching them.” (Coleen K. Menlove, Recently Released Primary General President, “All Thy Children Shall Be Taught,” General Conference, April 2005)

“It will take time and effort to teach children, but we must not become distracted or give up.” (Coleen K. Menlove, Recently Released Primary General President, “All Thy Children Shall Be Taught,” General Conference, April 2005)

“Let no child wonder if he or she is loved by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Let all children know who they are, what they are to do, and who they can become.” (Coleen K. Menlove, Recently Released Primary General President, “All Thy Children Shall Be Taught,” General Conference, April 2005)

“Children—as well as people of all ages—improve behavior from love and encouragement more than from fault-finding.” (Susan W. Tanner, Young Women General President, “Did I Tell You … ?,” General Conference, April 2003)

“Children can feel the peace and the joy that come as they exercise faith in Jesus Christ. Our children will not experience this light unless we teach them the gospel.” (Coleen K. Menlove, Primary General President, “A Voice of Gladness for Our Children,” General Conference, October 2002)

“Children are always learning from us. They are learning what is important by what we choose to do as well as what we choose not to do.” (Coleen K. Menlove, Primary General President, “A Voice of Gladness for Our Children,” General Conference, October 2002)

“Casual, infrequent family prayers, scripture study, and family home evenings will not be enough to fortify our children. Where will children learn the gospel and standards such as chastity, integrity, and honesty if not at home?” (Coleen K. Menlove, Primary General President, “A Voice of Gladness for Our Children,” General Conference, October 2002)

“Children cannot learn spiritual things and have spiritual feelings without the guidance of the Spirit.” (Coleen K. Menlove, Primary General President, “A Voice of Gladness for Our Children,” General Conference, October 2002)