Repentance is Sweet...

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Repentance is Sweet...

... repentance from a 4 year old even sweeter.

Last night after washing out yet another pair of poopy underwear Ammon was laying in bed and I was talking with him. He started talking about the Holy Ghost and how it is a scary monster. I explained that the Holy Ghost is actually a helper for Heavenly Father and Jesus and that he helps us know what good choices we can make and helps us know what bad choices to stay away from. I explained that the Holy Ghost can "talk" to us, but that we don't usually hear him like a voice, but more of a feeling.

Moments later Ammon erupted into hysterics literally sobbing saying, "I made a bad choice - Daddy does not make a bad choice. He makes a big boy choice. I want to be like Daddy. I made a bad choice!" He just kept going on and on with these sorts of comments. I was so stunned - he was feeling so bad! It took me a moment, but I realized he was upset about pooping in his underwear.

The fact that he felt he had made a bad choice seemed to go along with the conversation we had just been having so I explained to Ammon that when we make bad choices we can say a special prayer to Heavenly Father to tell him we are sorry and ask him to forgive us. Then we can ask him for help to not do it again. I asked Ammon if he wanted to say a special prayer like that. He said he did, so we prayed together. After we said the prayer Ammon had a huge grin on his face. I asked him if he had a good feeling inside and he said he did. I explained that the feeling he had was the Holy Ghost. It was a great experience and teaching moment for my adorable little boy.

1 comment:

MichelleMarch 20, 2008 at 9:46 AM
What a beautiful teaching moment for you and your sweet boy.
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.