In a recent BYU-Pathway Worldwide devotional, President Brian K. Ashton asked Elder David A. Bednar how our temple covenants can help us create gospel-centered families, specifically when loved ones choose to step away from the Church.
Elder Bednar responded that, when parents honor their temple covenants, the power of godliness is brought into their children’s lives. He briefly referenced Elder Orson F. Whitney, an apostle from the early 20th century, who described this power as “the divine tentacles of providence.”
The following quote from Elder Whitney explains how this power manifests:
“The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.”
In the devotional, Elder Bednar clarifies that though faithful parents alone can’t save their children, it’s the faithfulness of the parents in honoring their covenants that exerts a bit of a spiritual tug on their children.
“I don’t know how it works,” he says, “but it’s part of the covenant connection. So, the best thing a parent can do if there’s a wayward child is to honor the covenants so that tug, if they’ll let it, can have an influence on the child.”
He adds that the same principle is true for a faithful child whose parents have stepped away from the Church. But ultimately, he points back to the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.
“Many members of the Church have mistakenly thought, ‘If I honor my covenants, I can save my kids,’” Elder Bednar says. “No, Jesus saves. But we have to follow His path.”
You can watch the full devotional on BYU–Pathway Worldwide’s website.
More articles for you:
▶ The sweet service tradition Pres. Eyring did with his daughters
▶ If I feel fear, am I spiritually unprepared? Sheri Dew and Pres. Camille N. Johnson discuss
▶ Practical ideas to help your family adjust after sending off a missionary
