If There Is Murmuring, Maybe There Isn't Understanding

1Nephi 2: 12 And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.

Sometimes our children may complain or whine or grumble simply because they just don't know the why behind our request. It may not mean they are rebellious.  It may just be that they aren't thinking like us and they don't understand the importance of our request or preference on the way to do things.

If you will notice, Lehi and Nephi tried to help Laman and Lemuel and explained much in the chapters following. 

One of my favorite stories of example is the mom who sent her 2 year old out side to play with the instruction, "Don;t play in the street". Shortly afterward she found her child playing in the street. She scolded the child and again said, "Don't play in the street". Well she found her child playing in the street again and she repeated her instruction. After about the 3rd or 4th time the child finally said, "Mom, what's the street?"

We may think things are simple and clear but that may not be so with a child or teenager who doesn't have the experience we have. It is our responsibility to share our experience in a kind and patient way that teaches the right principles of goodness and safety.

The "why's" give us purpose. The scriptures continually tell us the why of the creation, the why of the fall of Adam, why we need a Savior and why we need commandments (rules). You will recognize that when we know why we are here on the earth we make different choices. Because of the purpose of life we choose to follow Jesus Christ. If there is no purpose we may decide to choose as the world does, meaning, what is the point, I will just do what I want and who cares what you think. 

Teaching is one of the greatest and most important duties we have as parents. We must teach in such a way that our children understand and have the knowledge and purpose and understanding for their own. When they do, we will be on the same page and heading in the same direction. After all, a family is a team. We all want to help each other return to heaven. We all just need to know what's the purpose.