Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]

Ideally Parents Should Teach Children for First Ten Years

Parents are responsible for the salvation of their children. For the first ten years of a child's life, it should be kept in the home school, with the father and mother as guardians and teachers. 7MR 13.2

Children should be taught to obey the command, “Honour thy father and mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Children are to become acquainted with their parents and in turn parents are to become acquainted with their children. Both parents and children are to learn to fulfill their duty to God and to one another. 7MR 13.3

From their earliest years children should be trained to carry their share of the home burdens. They should be taught that obligations are mutual. They should also be taught to work quickly and thoroughly. This education will prove of the greatest value to them in after years.—Manuscript 75, 1901, 1. (“Parental Responsibility,” August 5, 1901.) 7MR 14.1