A Little Child Shall Lead Them

I am often amazed by my children. Their ability to comprehend the gospel of Jesus Christ surprises me. It causes me to wonder if their knowledge comes from what we've been teaching them in the home, or if they remember it from heaven. I think it's a combination of both. We're diligent with our family scripture study, but at times I wonder if they ever get anything out of these sessions. Joshua usually has his rear in the air doing some sort of ninja kicks with his feet. Mercedes is typically either rolling around on the floor with her thumb in her mouth or somehow getting in the way of said ninja kicks. Luke--if he is still awake--is pulling the cords out of all of our electronics. But, then out of the blue, our four year old tells us some story of Jesus in detail. Our two year old recites an article of faith (the fourth one, to be exact) nearly word for word. And, our 11 month old son points at Jesus in pictures. They love to read the Friend. They know most of the songs to Scripture Scouts, and I love that Joshua knows and understands that Jesus is more powerful than any superhero that he likes to imitate. So, while we're diligently trying to do our best with prayers and scripture study, the saying is true, "... and a little child shall lead them". Because, children are made of something special. I just hope I don't do anything to mess them up, because they're pretty much perfect the way they are (minus the tantrums and whining--I could do without that). :) So, tonight in my scripture study I decided to read Elder Packer's talk from conference. Titled: A Little Child Shall Lead Them. One part of his talk really stuck with me. When we were first married, my wife and I decided that we would accept the children that would be born to us with the responsibility attending their birth and growth. In due time they have formed families of their own. Twice in our marriage, at the time of the births of two of our little boys, we have had a doctor say, “I do not think you are going to keep this one.” Both times this brought the response from us that we would give our lives if our tiny son could keep his. In the course of that offer, it dawned on us that this same devotion is akin to what Heavenly Father feels about each of us. What a supernal thought. I know that Christ died for me. And, I know that Heavenly Father sent Jesus to die for us because He wants us to be able to return to His presence. Jesus literally did give His life so that we could keep ours. I guess I just liked the way that Elder Packer was able to relate this thought to me through the perspective of being a parent.