Lessons from our children

Claudia submitted the following:

Elder Boyd K. Packer once said the only significant lessons he has learned in life have been taught by his children. I too find Michael Adam is one of my best teachers. I would like to share something I've learned from him just over the past two or three weeks.A couple of weeks ago he learned how to roll over from his stomach to his back. To watch him struggle though just tore my heart out. He wasn't sure what he was doing—it was all so new to him—and sometimes he would get so frustrated at his struggles. I wanted so much to pick him up myself and turn him over—to save all that trouble and heartache—but I knew I couldn't. The struggles made him strong, and he couldn't learn if I did it for him.It occurred to me one day while I was watching him try that our earth life is but a type and shadow of eternity, a testing ground, and that parents have a very similar relationship to their children as our Heavenly Father has to us. With all this in mind, it came to me that the Lord watches over us too and sees our struggles. But like parents here on earth He sometimes has to just let us struggle so we can learn more effectively through our experience and grow stronger."Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7)."My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee over all thy foes" (D&C 121:7-8).How well the Lord has said it. And realizing my own love for Michael Adam, I now have a deeper understanding of the Lord's love for us and of why He gives us trials and tribulations. I am very grateful for these things and for a loving Father who would care to give us these learning experiences that we might grow.

God bless you all. We hope to see everyone of you at the reunion in April.

A final word

And now in conclusion, as we look forward to the Christmas season, Claudia and I want to express a few thoughts to all of you, our family. Christmas is a family time, which helps explain why it is such a special time of year. Christmas is also a holy time, commemorating the birth of the Savior, which helps explain why it is such a joyful time of year. We want to express to you our love and our gratitude for all any of you have done to make our life more pleasant and even possible. To our parents, Mom and Dad, come special thanks and love. And thanks to all of you who have so well supported the efforts of this newsletter. May the joys brought by the Prince of Peace fill your hearts this Christmas season and throughout the coming new year is our earnest prayer.


The Cleverly Newsletter, Dec 1973 [Vol 1 no 2]

A final word

And now a parting observation from Harold B. Lee's closing address in the April 1973 general conference: Go home now to your people, I pray you, and say as did Joshua of old: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). Teach your families in your family home evening, teach them to keep the commandments of God, for therein is our only safety in these days. If they will do that, the powers of the Almighty will descend upon them as the dews from heaven, and the Holy Ghost will be theirs.

That's quite a promise! And it comes from the prophet of God. I commend his counsel to you, with my hearty blessing and love.


The Cleverly Newsletter, Sept 1973 [Vol 1 no 1]