More Insight on "Raising the Bar" for Missionaries
by Joni Hilton

See the previous column here.

What does “raising the bar” mean for our future missionaries? Who will qualify, who won’t, and how will they be viewed by church members? Letters have been pouring in for clarification, so I “called Salt Lake,” as we say when we live anywhere else, and learned the following:

Last year a letter was sent to bishops and stake presidents, urging them to use stricter standards when they recommend young men and women for service. But it was very general, not a list of exact behaviors or medications that will disqualify an applicant.

Leaders are to use inspiration, and handle each situation on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes leaders even request exemptions from certain policies from time to time, if they feel a certain young man would be an exemplary missionary despite, say, a physical challenge. The hope is that we can avoid some of the dreadful experiences readers wrote about (and are still writing about), when an unqualified elder becomes the monkey wrench thrown into the works. I think we’d all agree that closer examination of a young person’s emotional, spiritual, and moral readiness can only benefit the missionary program.

I was also gratified that leaders in Salt Lake hope the church members, as a whole, will stop attaching such a negative stigma to those young men who haven’t been able to serve. Not having completed a mission does not bar you from the temple, nor from church service, nor from the Celestial Kingdom. The person I spoke with said it may take a longer time for that cultural change to happen (for people to get with it and stop judging, in other words). But I suggested that with the church growing as fast as it is, we are adding thousands of members who didn’t grow up with that “indoctrination,” and we may become a less judgmental people sooner than later. Let us hope.

They’re also concerned that a young man might stop taking needed anti-depressants, for example, in hopes of being called on a mission. They emphasized that stability on medication is what matters and that elders on some medications have and will be called. The dosage and the severity of the problem are all issues that vary with each case. I would hate to see a well-meaning mother take her young boy off needed medication in hopes that he can turn in a “cleaner” application someday. They agreed that this would be both foolish and dangerous.

This week we’re printing more letters that show how vital it is to “up” our standards, and also letters that give further hope and ideas to missionaries who can’t serve traditional missions.

(Next week we’ll share some enlightening letters about the role our Young Women can play, and how some wards have tackled the modest dress issue-- you won’t want to miss this one!)

And now to your feedback:

I was glad to hear the bar has been raised for missionaries, especially when considering worthiness. Our son served a successful mission in South America. He was full of the Spirit and had so much enthusiasm. His goal was to work hard and help bring as many as possible into the fold. He was ready to conquer the world and be the best kind of missionary for his Father in Heaven.

He had a companion who sniffed glue! Our son couldn't get this young man up to go out proselyting, was far from the Mission President and was a co-companion. No senior companion. By the time our son actually found out for sure what he suspected was true, much time had elapsed. He wrote home during that period of time and said he was teaching the children to play the piano so his time would be of some worth.... To this day (some 23 yrs. later) he doesn't talk about his mission. He ended up having five mission companions who were of like caliber. Our son was told, "Sometimes it is better to save one soul than many, and they knew how strong he was to do just that." That is too big a load to put on a 19-21 year old with so called missionaries who should have been prepared and worthy to go... missionaries have to go prepared and worthy. Those who are worthy but cannot serve should not be looked down on. As members of the church perhaps we should look to ourselves and our own worthiness before we look at others. A mission is not easy. I would rather these young men been honest, stayed home and dealt with their problems. Our son would have been better off with worthy companions and so would potential investigators and the church as a whole. "Raising the Bar"....is welcome!

Barbara Blackburn

Thanks for sharing your son’s story, Barbara. We’ll never know the good that could have been accomplished if only his companions had been ready to take on true missionary work. The next two readers ask if repentance ever figures into the equation:

Thanks for sharing the comments on Raising the Bar for missionaries. I have four sons of my own, two step sons and two daughters. The pressure has been on to prepare these sons for missionary work and even some pressure for the daughters. Raising the Bar affected my son preparing for his mission in a positive way-- he now serves in Argentina, and feels he is part of the greatest missionary force in history. His 17 year old brother won't be serving the two year mission. My concern is like others, how do you explain the atonement? How can you feel clean as the new fallen snow after repentance, if a person is penalized by being disqualified to serve a full time mission? My image of the atonement is so literal, that it doesn't fit with this new policy.

However, I am supportive of the first presidency and always will be.

Sister Holbrook

And...

... I can see the purpose for (the change) but I also question not allowing boys go who have made mistakes. It makes me wonder about the law of repentance and if it applies to all God's children including teenage boys.

After I graduated from high school and saw a steady stream of boys I knew had done terrible things go on missions. Some had fathered children, some had done nothing but drink and smoke themselves senseless during high school but the church let them go anyway.

Now, it would seem they are creating a separate class of young men, the ones who have never made a mistake and those who have. Of course, I realize it's not the church's fault if a young man makes a mistake, but it does make me wonder why repentance does not count in this case. I thought you could repent for nearly everything.

Lisa

A young man’s bishop and stake president have to decide on whether that repentance is genuine. But I’d like to hear from priesthood leaders out there-- Doesn’t Heavenly Father forgive completely, and aren’t we “reborn” when we change our hearts? Or are there some sins that disqualify you?

Here’s a letter describing other problems some missionaries have to face:

As a lifelong Church member in Australia I have often seen young men come here on missions who are ill prepared spiritually and socially for a mission. Some of these young men have not been outside Utah and cannot cope with the fact that we have our own culture and customs. We also have young women here who want to marry returned missionaries and "throw themselves" at the young serving missionaries. It takes a very strong young man to ignore this type of attention. Over the years I have experienced the problems created by immature missionaries. These problems can last for a long time after the missionary has gone home. The bad feelings created in the community make future missionary work in the area difficult, and take years of patient work by local Church members to overcome.

Our Stake begins early in preparing young men and women for missionary service by holding a Missionary Training Center on one weekend every year. Youth and Young Singles spend from Friday night through to Sunday night as if they were on a mission. They wear missionary clothing, name tags and obey mission rules. They are assigned to different "missions" where they experience learning a new language and by Sunday night they can bear their testimony in that language. Scripture study and working with serving missionaries are part of the activities. Since the Stake President began this program there has been a noticeable change in the attitudes towards serving a mission; that it is not all fun and games.

Lynnette Walker

Quakers Hill (Sydney), New South Wales, Australia

Great idea-- I wish kids were prepared better for all that awaits them-- missions, church service, marriage, parenting, even paying bills and finding one’s way in life. It seems we do a lot of theoretical educating, but not enough practical training.

The next letter is from the mother who has rented a room to missionaries, and has served as a senior sister, but whose son did not go on a mission:

My son had not broken the word of wisdom, nor was there a moral question. His intelligence is exceptionally high. He follows directions and is obedient. The reason he did not fill a full time mission is that he is a "character" in the fullest sense of the word. Those who know him love him. He works as a background person in the movies, hoping for the day when his abilities will be recognized. He joined the army and was able to not only bring several inactive members
back into activity, but was also able to spread the gospel and bring new members into the church. He probably accomplished this with more people than the usual full time missionary. Nevertheless, he had great respect for the missionaries, and would not date young ladies who had missionary boyfriends still on their mission.

When I rented the room to the missionaries, I met several missionaries. Some came because of a girl back home who would not marry a non-missionary; one came because his father had promised him a very expensive hunting rifle if he came. One was so anxious to go surfing that he bought a surfboard and went at night while his companion sat on the beach. One was a very good missionary, and was very learned, but was exceedingly unkind to his companion, who had a reading problem, but had a heart of gold. Of course, most were exceptional young men and I was very happy to have them in my home.

While on my mission there was a young man who had a serious medical problem. His intentions and spirit were good, but he spent so much time being ill and hospitalized that we never knew how to cover his area properly. My second companion had a nervous breakdown, something she had suffered from before, and had to be sent home after a couple of months.

Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. We do not always understand. We will have to answer to our Heavenly Father for our mistakes. If ostracizing someone because they did not fulfill a mission hurts them, what will we say on our Judgment Day?

Oris Morgan, Oceanside, CA

Excellent question. And your examples made me wonder what young women might have married those “surfboard and rifle” elders, thinking they were getting a wonderful RM, only to wind up with a surfer and a hunter, and not much else.

I was impressed by the candid comments, thoughts and feelings expressed relating to this issue. I believe missionary work is a tremendous opportunity. It is unfortunate that certain stigmas are attached to those who don't serve or come home early (for whatever reason). Being a returned missionary guarantees "Nothing.”

I served a full time mission and it literally changed my life for the better. I feel I was worthy when called and departed, however felt very inadequate shortly after arriving in the mission field. I think all missionaries do. I was less prepared because of my lack of interest in Seminary and it made my work that much harder because I had to catch up quickly. The Lord was very kind in helping me do that. My older brother did not serve a mission and my younger brother did. We are of no less or no more worth to our parents and each other. We found out many years later that my older brother had been sexually abused when he was in his early teens by some cousins and panicked at he thoughts of being with another male, as a mission requires. Little did my parents know until it surfaced 28 years later. You never know! My brother and his wife are now serving a welfare mission in the area they live. It just goes to show that it is never too late.

My son served a mission and became hooked on prescription drugs, toward the end of his mission, from some well meaning (member) dentists that provided dental care and the "pain killers." My wife says we sent our son on a mission and never got him back. He served the full time but returned to us a drug addict. We are still dealing with it after 6 years.

Do we fault the members or the mission? Absolutely not! It is a sad set of circumstances. He is still a great kid, just has a huge goliath to overcome. He is still better for going on a mission.

I guess what I am trying to say is that as members our responsibility is not to judge. We don't know how far someone has had to come, how hard it has been, or what they are presently dealing with. All we need to do it love our brothers and sisters, unconditionally. There are many opportunities to serve somewhere in our lives and we need to remain ready and worthy for the call.

Amen-- you never know! Our responsibility is, indeed, not to judge.

We must remember to 1) not gossip, and 2) listen to the Holy Ghost instead of hearsay. Even if your worst fears about someone are true, doesn’t that person then need even more love and help?

Here’s a note that responds to the seminary letter, and to certain medical concerns:

As I just read this article about raising the bar a few different things pop into mind. First of all is the comment that seminary is not doing it's job. I have started substituting for seminary and I can honestly say it is NOT the seminary that is failing in most instances. The disrespect, talking during class, and the flippant attitude of at least half of the students IS causing the failing of the students. Second, we cannot force the kids to read or pray any more than the parents can. This MUST come from the home. Even the parents cannot pray for a testimony for their children. The children have to kneel down and ask for the testimony themselves.

I also think that there are good kids who have taken some medications that would be terrific missionaries. Our daughter has taken an anti-depressant for several years off and on. She did go on a mission and she was a working machine. The mission president often had to tell her to slow down. The biggest thing for her was not ever letting herself think she COULD go home. She said it would have been to easy to quit if she ever thought that. The work is hard. I really hope that as time goes on the medication thing is tempered with great recommendations from Bishops who know the attitudes of their ward youth and by doctors who truly see what is happening. As a person who has been on anti-depressants for 13 years, I know how hard it is to feel different. Heart medication would be infinitely better. However, this is the same for me. It allows me to live a normal life and I dare others to keep up with me. Raising the bar is great and very needful. I just hope it all works out in the long run. I imagine if it the Lord's program and the people in charge are willing to work with Him, everyone's needs will be met.

Jane Gibby, Preston, Idaho

This comes in from a reader who opposes the raised bar:

I have 2 boys that went on missions before the 'bar' was raised. They were borderline even then and I knew it but I had faith that the mission would help them to see things that somehow, I had just not been able to get through to them. They had not done anything bad, they just didn't have a very strong testimony.

The mission changed both of them into wonderful men. I am sure they probably did give some grief to start with but they turned into district leaders and later zone leaders, both of them. I am very grateful they went out before the change as they would not be able to go out now. I am sure that they are not the only ones that have happened too. Now they have strong testimonies and a sure foundation. Now they are stalwart because of the help of people that were needed in their lives. I don't like the new 'raise the bar' idea. I think it is very elitist even though I understand why it was raised. But we are here to lift those who are weak, missions have done that for many young people. I don't think it was fair to those 'on the border' that a mission could give such lifelong (and therefore eternal) strength. I know it has discouraged a lot of young people that don't think they will ever be able to 'live up to that bar' now.

A mom in Utah County

We also heard from others who were grateful they got to serve before higher standards were required-- many admit they wouldn’t make the cut, today, yet they benefited from serving.

A reader from Bremerton, Washington echoes one of last week’s letters, about military service:

I want to thank Sister Espinoza from the bottom of my heart for her letter. I too feel that our sons who are in the military, serving our country, serve also a "mission" by their example. Many times they open the door for conversion to their fellow servicemen. I really feel they should be respected and supported by our ward and stake leaders, instead of being ignored in favor of only those who serve "official" full-time missions. It is hurtful to be made to feel that only missionaries are worthy, and servicemen are second-class members. When I mentioned at a meeting that my son was in the Middle East and I was concerned for his safety, someone in my stake said that if he had gone on a mission like the Lord requires he wouldn't be in danger! Comments like that (thankfully few in number) really hurt! So, thank you sister Espinoza for your letter.

Maria Stevens

Oops. Somebody must like the taste of shoe leather. As for the rest of us, thank you for raising a patriot, Maria. I love our service men and women, and not one of us can ever really repay what they are giving us. May they and their families be blessed.

And now, a sister from Russia agrees with a letter from Kristi, last week. I’ve left her letter pretty much as is, because I love her enthusiasm, and her English is a whole lot better than my Russian:

Hello! I am Lena Ahatova from Russia, Samara, returned missionary who served in Utah, SLC.

I am absolutely agree with Kristi! We need to show all love and support for those who come home early. I learn one lesson not long time ago. Two years ago, a guy from one of Samara branches, my friend, came home early. It was rumors about his bad behavior or even breaking mission rules. Official version was bad health. But seems to me nobody at his branch believe on it. So, he became less active.

When people are talking about him they will always say "Oh, it's just him, he even came back early what you want?"

But few months ago I went to Sankt-Peterburg, city where he served. I met some families who knew him. You know how many warm and kind words I hear about him from them!

They love him! This people were surprised that he is less active.

I never heard as many warm and nice words about him as I heard at Sankt-Peterburg.

I really think that his inactivity probable our fault.

We need to love people no matter what happened. I really think that it's not our business why girl or boy back home early. They need our love and support no matter what happened at mission.

Nobody perfect!

About marry return missionary. Well it will be nice. But, young women ( including myself) need to keep eyes open.

If there is a wonderful guy, worthy and kind, but he didn't served a mission for some reason will he unworthy for love?

No. At Samara, I knew several young families, where is nobody is return missionary. But they all fine. Of course all young men need to try to serve a mission. But we need to love people even they didn't serve a mission.

Your story touched my heart deeply, Lena. I pray none of us will ever have to answer to the Lord for contributing to another’s inactivity. In fact, we should go out of our way to embrace the downtrodden, and help them return to loving arms.

Here’s my favorite letter of all this week. Read each of the bullets-- there’s much truth here:

Both your original article and the responses have struck a cord with me. Our oldest son was rebellious through his mid-to-late teens. We had to learn the hard way that the more we pressed about the Church and a mission, the more he rebelled. We concluded that if he didn't serve a mission, it wasn't the end of the world. Serving a mission is not a saving ordinance of the gospel, contrary to what many would have you believe (if so, I'm not sure what the Lord's going to do about President Howard W. Hunter). We backed off and took an indirect approach, fasting and praying, as both immediate and extended family, that our son would be drawn by the Spirit to seek a testimony and return to living the Gospel. The Lord raised up righteous friends, faithful leaders, a loving home-teaching companion and inspired family members to say and do the right things at the right moments to help him return. He chose to serve a mission wholly on his own (he turned 21 in the MTC). He was a faithful missionary and served in multiple leadership positions in the mission. His companions reported to us that he was by far the most obedient and studious of any of their companions.

We now have another son who is rebelling in a more subtle way. He is almost 20, but hasn't attended Church for over a year and a half. Other than that, he lives an LDS lifestyle and associates with strong LDS friends. We don't pray for him to serve a mission--we pray for him to be converted.

Some things I've observed as I've watched my children and other youth progress to adulthood:

* Many leaders don't know how to handle inactive or rebellious youth. Love seems to be the key. Most leaders love the members of their flock--it's communicating that love that presents the challenge. A young men's president or bishop needs to leave the ninety and nine and go in search of the lost sheep, not the other way around (lost sheep aren't going to find their way to quorum meeting or the bishop's office--that's why they call them "lost"). That usually means seeking them out wherever they are, whether that's at home, or a game or tournament they're playing in, etc. Extraordinary, consistent efforts in finding and reaching those lost sheep go a long way to communicate that love. Once felt, that love reopens the lines of communication and makes forward progress possible.

* More clues on how to love and encourage teenagers who begin to exert their independence were given by Elder Henry B. Eyring in an August 2000 BYU Education Week Devotional. He reminds us that "The teenager you love may well have been one of the valiant warriors on the side of agency and truth" in the War in Heaven. "The teenager who begins to say, "It's my life to live, my choices to make," is speaking the truth, a wonderful truth. The choice to do good is the only way to build a life on the foundation of truth and light. Yet those words can strike fear into a parent or a bishop or a Young Women leader who loves the teenager." He goes on to give wonderful advice about helping youth to wisely use the agency we all fought for. I recommend the talk to both parents and leaders: "http://speeches.byu.edu/devo/99-00/EyringSu00.html"

* Inspired, thorough, searching interviews are essential. We moved in the midst of our eldest son's rebellion. We had expressed concern to our previous bishop and stake presidency when, unbeknownst to us and during his rebellious phase, our son was recommended for the Melchizedek Priesthood when we felt him to be unworthy. They assured us the interviews had been done correctly, there were no concerns, and recommended we proceed with the ordination. Our new bishop was saddened by what he termed a "tolerance for sin" in our previous bishop and stake presidency. He learned that our son had answered all the previous bishop's questions honestly regarding moral issues, but the bishop had failed to follow up when the answers indicated problems.

* Some members of the Church haven't yet learned how to relate to young men who don't serve missions or return early, either for lack of worthiness, lack of conversion, health reasons or otherwise. It's really a bigger problem: how should we relate to and treat anyone who has a perceived weakness or deficiency (in our judgment) that cannot be hidden? Everyone knows if a young man in the ward doesn't serve or complete a mission. The immediate question that comes into our minds is: what went wrong--was there a previous moral problem or did one occur in the mission? (I have to admit those thoughts often sneak into my mind, though I struggle to suppress them.)

The real issue is: "so what?" Even if moral problems exist, the opportunity of going forward is for me to accept and love that brother or sister and to provide, as far as I am able to influence, an ideal environment within which to repent and continue forward progress. A similar approach is required when we are confronted with other "unhideable" situations such as addiction to tobacco, alcohol or drugs, an arrest, divorce, excommunication, teen pregnancy, etc. Will the Lord excuse us for shunning or gossiping about a brother or sister with a public weakness, when we each struggle with our more private weaknesses that shield us from public examination and scorn? We have been quite blessed in our new ward: we've been continually amazed at the willingness to accept, love and serve everyone on an equal footing, regardless of the nature of their failings, public or private. We have welcomed the challenge to rise to their excellent example.

In summary, I am an enthusiastic supporter of raising the bar for our youth, as well as for parents. If raising the bar means fewer young men qualify for a two-year proselyting mission, then the higher bar for the rest of us includes ensuring those who don't qualify a) don't feel "left behind" and, b) aren't!

Name withheld...

Dear Name Withheld-- I wish everyone in the church were like you. “So what?” should be the first thought that pops into our minds when someone cannot serve a mission-- for whatever reason. We all have obstacles to overcome-- some less visible than others. Our job is to love unconditionally, and reach out for those lost sheep. This reader has a similar perspective:

... Those who don't make the cut have a lifetime of service to perfect themselves. I would hardly consider being a returned missionary a litmus test for exemplary service or high standards or anything else that is necessary for exaltation. What about all of the new converts that are faithfully living the gospel without having had the opportunity to serve a mission in their youth? Those who don't serve missions in their youth should use their adult life (both financially and spiritually) to prepare to serve missions after they retire.

Whether as Ward Mission Leaders or stake missionaries, my husband and I have been very involved in the missionary program since we were married 9 years ago. We have experienced the joys from working with well prepared, spiritually mature, hard working missionaries. Our community, our branch, our family and our non-member friends have also seen and felt the disappointments, setbacks, and embarrassment that come from missionaries who haven't prepared well and are not willing nor able to do the work in the way that the Lord expects.

We are sick and tired of being hosts to mediocre missionaries. The Spirit of the Lord is moving across this earth and the harvest is plentiful. The elect are hearing His voice. They deserve to have the best missionaries bring them the gospel message. We should desire that those missionaries who come into the field are as willing and able to serve in their calling as were Alma, The Sons of Helaman and Paul... The Church will continue to raise the bar in many ways. We should not be surprised nor disenchanted when this happens. Now more than ever, we should prepare ourselves and our families for the difficult yet rewarding work of being a member of His Church.

Emily Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia

Others wrote in to suggest alternative mission service in the genealogy libraries (especially to help those of us struggling to keep up with technology), and at LDS Employment Resource Centers. Both are good alternatives.

This reader is concerned that our youth are too segregated by age, and thus unprepared when mission time comes:

.... When the youth turn 12 they are whisked away from adults (therefore adult input into the gospel) and placed in youth groups. They remain in these groups until 18 and then magically are expected to have adult awareness of the gospel. Most youth at 18 are very apprehensive about going to the adult classes. Why? Because they don't really know anyone. No one really knows them even by name, except for a few priesthood or Y.W. leaders.

When you raise your children to be children they will still be children at 18. If they are raised to be adults then they will rise to the goal. It is the same way Heavenly Father guides us along... Do they need to be segregated on Sunday also? When do they associate with adults? We have some really hot conversations both good and some a little opinionated in meetings. Shouldn't the youth learn to work out differences by example also?

It is no wonder to me that we have difficulty with our young missionaries. Where is their experience needed for a mission learned? In a school of their peers? In their own peer oriented youth groups? Where is real life happening for them, and whose perspective is it? Aren't these young people expected to deal intelligently, respectfully and with humor with those they meet and teach on missions? They need to live life with adults. They need to learn how to deal with handicapped people. They need to understand the testy grandpas and well informed grandmas.

I am sorry, I do not see this happening in our times. I see isolation, confusion, inability to work and plan goals, and intolerance of difference. Isn't this interesting in the enlightened era of diversity?

Nancy K., Minnesota

Here’s a letter from a sympathetic dad:

...As Bishop, I sent one young man out who had to return early. It was a heartbreaking experience that I hope he recovers from someday, because as of right now, he has not returned to full activity in the church. I feel partially responsible for him and where he is at today. If I had been more perceptive, I would not have dismissed the fact that at times he questioned his testimony, and assured him that he would do just fine. I should have listened and probed more. I regret it every single day of my life since that day.

I have five sons. My oldest is not ready for missionary service and I cannot help how hurt I feel for him, because I know what he is going to face. I hope he is strong enough. I feel that we are losing him, and he rarely attends church on his own. But, I would rather have him not serve a mission, than return early from one. My next oldest son has just submitted his missionary paperwork and will receive a call in a few weeks. Now, I worry about my oldest son being even more stigmatized within our own family. There are wonderful men in the church who have not served missions. I have one as my counselor right now in the YM presidency who did not. When I asked for him as a counselor, I did not ask the Bishopric if he had served a mission, only if he had a current recommend. He often speaks of his regret in not serving. The boys learn from his experience. I just wish sometimeS that we could flog members who are so hurtful and callous in their remarks about those who have not served! I understand more clearly why the Savior took a whip and drove the moneychangers out of the temple. The church is a hospital ward for the sick and afflicted in spirit. Those who claim to not have sinned, are guilty of the worst sin of all. No one is perfect, not one. We need to love and accept everyone and help lift them, not tear them down.

Michael S. Zollinger

Thank you, Bishop. Well said. I wonder how many great souls have been lost due to shunning, something completely against the teachings of Christ.

Here’s some advice for parents of very young kids, to best prepare them as well:

I don't know much about raising teenagers, but I have a three-year-old son, and I have a brother who is leaving in December on his mission. I think it's important to tell the young of both genders, in no uncertain terms, what the truth is about Satan and the plan of salvation, and what they are here to do. I think parents should pray for guidance to know their child's talents and mission, so that they can train their child accordingly.

My son, like many others, is here on Earth to fight evil, continue the war that was started in Heaven, and see it through the final battles to victory. The children nowadays have the capacity to do what they do in spectacular fashion. If they do not succeed spectacularly, they will fail spectacularly. We have to raise them to greatness, because if they fall short of the mark, they will eventually fall wide of it.

So far I'm doing well. My son knows when people (including myself) are “choosing Satan's way". I told him over and over the story of the War in Heaven, and one day he said of someone who had chosen a wrong path, "she's choosing Satan's way." Since then he has been dead-on in recognizing wrong attitudes. He has a natural affinity for the Holy Spirit and he knows when wrong is done, the Spirit leaves. With the Lord's help, I'll know what to teach him next.

Sarah Natividad

We must all be diligent. You remind me of the thought I once gave young women, that you should never marry anyone you wouldn’t go into battle with-- because raising kids really is continuing that war in heaven. May God bless your efforts, Sarah.

Speaking of young women, how can we more successfully hold them to high standards, especially in dress? Be sure to read next time!

Joni