A remarkable way to raise a strong, valiant child

Elder Bradley Foster spoke at Jon’s stake conference in Salto, Uruguay. He shared a story that Jon said he hopes to apply in his own life; “I thought it was awesome!”  Elder Foster gave the talk in Spanish, which Jon said was better than in English, more comical.  Here is Jon’s translation:

Once upon a time I was a stake president at BYU-Idaho.  It was a wonderful calling, one I enjoyed thoroughly.  One of my responsibilities was to interview young men preparing to leave on missions.  This included asking questions to see how physically, mentally and spiritually prepared these young men were.

  

One day I had an interview with a young man named Pablo (Paul).  He was from Mexico and lived in the U.S. with his parents and family.   We sat down and began the interview.  One by one I asked all the questions which were required of me to find out the personal worthiness of this fine young man to which he replied to all of them—“Perfectly!”  

Now, having many interviews with boys looking to go on a mission, I knew how to change my questions to have the same meaning, but bring out more of the truth that I wanted to hear.  Well, I was quite astonished by the answers of Pablo.  I thought, “He must not have understood me.”  So I kept asking again, but differently to which he responded, “Perfectly.”  Wondering how he could respond such, I asked, “How have you been able to be so prepared for this interview?”

 “My father prepared me!” he cheerfully and boldly answered me.  I asked him to explain what his father did to prepare such a worthy priesthood holder.    He responded, “When I was 9 years old, my dad grabbed me by the shoulder and sat me down to talk.  He said, ‘Son, you’re 9 years old! I was also 9 years old.  I know what happens at your age.  Kids begin to gain their own personality, knowing right from wrong.  They start playing tricks on one another.  You need to choose the right, stand strong and be an example.’  He told me a few more things to which he committed me to follow and be obedient.  And I was!”

“Then one day, my father sat me down again.  He said, ‘Son, you’re 10 years old.  I was ten years old too!  I know what happens at this age.  Other kids at school are going to start to lie and cheat.  Others are going to start talking bad about others.  You will not do these things.   You know better.  You’ll stand strong and be an example to others and live justly.’  All these things that he told me I obeyed!

Once I turned 11, he sat me down again and at 12 and 13.  He said, ‘Son, I was once 13.  I know what happens at 13.  Your body is changing, lots of emotion and new feelings come.  Kids at school will begin talking about girls and do things they shouldn’t, like watch pornography and start using foul language.  You will not do these things.  You know that they are bad for you and will cause you problems.  You will choose uplifting activities and live as Christ did, walking in righteousness and continually doing good.’ 

He would let me know of all the trials and tests I would be required to pass and helped me in every one of them!  Even now for this interview, apart from a lifetime of guidance and correction, he has taught me how to be a missionary.” As Pablo finished the story, I couldn’t help but feel much love and gratitude for this young man’s father.  We concluded the interview, Pablo passing every requirement necessary and ready for his mission!

After this experience I thought of my grandchildren, who were 9 years and that they need to know!  I need to tell them!  I called my wife and related my experience to her.  She agreed that we should indeed talk more with our children and grandchildren. 

I called one of my daughters and said firmly, “We’re coming over right now.  We need to talk.”  Now, as I am getting rather old, we found my daughter very worried when we arrived.  She feared I was about to pass on to the next life!  We assured her everything was all right and sat down to talk.

I began, “My sweet daughter, you’re 25 years old!  With a young family and dealing with the pressures of taking care of this family.  I, too, was once 25 with a young family.  I know what happens.  Let me tell you.”  I began to tell her about frustrations and victories she would have with her children, the disagreements and arguments with her husband followed by the ‘I’m sorry conversations’ and the great possibilities of her family that are to come.” 

Let us all pay a little more attention to our children and sit down to tell them of what is to come and firmly assure them of the right choices to take in life and give them our solid testimony that we lo