After reading "The Cost of Riches" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, I realized that we are living in a time where our priorities are not where they should be. The pioneers gave up all their world possessions as they made the long trek across the country, keeping only what they needed for the journey and maybe a few personal items. Along the way they would have to leave some of those things behind to lighten the load. They would never have thought about leaving any of their children behind. Their children were the most important treasure to them.
Today we tend to see people putting their worldly treasures ahead of the important things. Working longer hours to have more worldly possessions which leave less time for our children and families. In a sense we are leaving our children behind. We are leaving it up to someone else to take care of them and to raise them. We are not putting the right value on the family.
"The most important work we will ever do is within the walls
of our own homes."
Elder Robbins also points out that money doesn’t always bring us happiness. I believe this is true. Some of the happiest memories I have are when my husband and I were first married and poor. With the need to have many worldly treasures, a lot of people are working more hours or even both spouses are working to provide more entertainment or toys. We do not need to constantly entertain our children. They need to learn to be creative and come up with their own ideas. We need to be spending time with them helping them to use their creative minds and encouraging them not ignoring them.
If we want to strengthen our families so that we can obtain our eternal heavenly treasures, then we need to put the family first and figure out what our true treasures are and then we will be truly happy.
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