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As I watched my children return from school last week, I found myself reflecting on how different their elementary experience is compared to when I attended Larsen Elementary back in the early 90s. Through prayer and study, I’ve come to some difficult realizations about what’s changed in our schools that I feel impressed to share with my fellow Saints.
A Stark Contrast to Our Childhood
I recently had a profound realization about why we’re seeing so many young children identifying in ways that simply weren’t part of our experience growing up. The answer is both simple and concerning: adults in positions of influence are actively encouraging children to explore these identities.
When I was in elementary school in 1992, our teachers focused on multiplication tables and spelling bees. Our biggest worry was whether we’d be picked last for kickball at recess. The guidance we received was straightforward and focused on academic and social development appropriate for our age.
Today, my children describe a very different environment. Rainbow flags adorn classroom doors, and various identity-based materials appear in classroom libraries. Children are receiving messages that would have been unthinkable during our childhood years.
The Sacred Responsibility of Adults
As Latter-day Saints, we understand the sacred nature of our physical bodies and divine identities as sons and daughters of Heavenly Parents. “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” teaches us that “Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.” This eternal truth doesn’t change with cultural trends.
What we’re witnessing isn’t an organic change in children themselves. Children today are still children—naturally curious, impressionable, and looking to trusted adults for guidance. What’s changed is the guidance they’re receiving from some adults in positions of influence—whether medical professionals, educators, or social media personalities.
Our Role as Covenant-Keeping Parents
As parents who have made sacred covenants, we have a divine mandate to teach our children eternal truths about their identity and purpose. President Russell M. Nelson has reminded us that “As the world continues to ripple with seismic shifts and storms, the Lord expects us to continue to move forward and to use our best efforts to sustain and defend the kingdom of God.”
This doesn’t mean treating others unkindly—quite the opposite. We have a responsibility to show Christlike love to everyone while still teaching eternal principles within our homes.
I’m especially concerned about the medical interventions being offered to increasingly younger children who express confusion about their identity. These are life-altering decisions with consequences that children cannot possibly comprehend. As parents, we’re entrusted to protect our children’s agency by ensuring they have the maturity and understanding to make such significant choices.
Finding a Path Forward with Faith
For our family, this realization has led to difficult but necessary conversations with our children’s teachers and school administrators. We’ve also strengthened our family home evening discussions about eternal identity and the sacred nature of our bodies as temples.
I’m grateful for Church resources that help us navigate these challenging cultural waters. The Gospel Library app contains wonderful resources about teaching children about their divine nature and purpose.
I testify that as we hold fast to revealed truth while showing Christ’s love to all, the Lord will guide us in protecting and teaching our children. Though the world may shift around us, the doctrines of the restored gospel stand as an immovable foundation upon which we can build our families and find peace in troubled times.
May we all have the courage to lovingly stand for truth as we raise the rising generation to understand their eternal identity and purpose.
[Note: Comments are moderated and should reflect the loving respect we have for all of God’s children while maintaining commitment to revealed truth.]
