A hair’s breadth from falling away into despair she resolved that she had to stay the course for the remainder of her family and also the hope that her wayward children would return. For her, life was not so charmed as it might have appeared to an outsider. The issues of children and faithfulness are deep rooted in the LDS subconscious, and not just of this faithful sister.

The prospect of losing a child to other path which contains heartache and misery is difficult for any parent to take. Inevitably some amount of internal blame is assigned and twinges of very real guilt surface for all of the times you could have been more loving, understanding, etc.

We can’t make our children’s choices for them, though we sometimes try. Sooner or later every child makes a choice which disappoints a parent. I know I have.

In times of distress and sorrow, even when children will want nothing to do with their parents, they will reflect back to the teachings of their youth which formed the core of their learning. If they were teachings of divine truth, they will eventually turn to a good path. It’s our duty as parents to provide as much help as they need on the way back. Even if they don’t come back into the church, we can provide meaningful service and love to them, because they are family.

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obligatory props go to #9.

Thanks for your personal and insightful comments. Please make many more.

Sorry, man, I know what it’s like to feel the disappointment of a parent. I’m sure you’ve told your mom that your sealing is the same thing as a temple marriage; that you still have enormous opportunities in front of you to serve the Lord, including possibly even a mission in your twilight years. The Lord provides way too many contingencies for success to cry failure just because you haven’t followed The Book to a ‘T’.

I come from a family of eight boys. Born and raised in the church out in California. I was the child that strayed from the gospel when I was in my late teens. But after a few years I’ve returned to the fold. What is interesting is how my mother feels about my life.

Having not gone on a mission, nor got married in the temple (later sealed of course, just not married in), she still feels like I never lived up to my spiritual potential. So often, when visiting or having her over I feel the saddness (in her eyes and comments) of having missed the great oppertunities and blessings of following a by the book path of life.

This passage of scripture only makes me think of another passage….

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” Ecclesiates 12:1 (KJV)

Having been raised in a non-LDS Christian home by a pastor no less, I can remember both my fathers guilt for my misdeeds and my own for letting both my parents and God down…funny thing free will (agency) now I have a 13 year old son and await the guilt again….:)