This past couple of weeks have been a much needed spritual boost for our family. First General Conference, and then this past weekend a broadcast Stake Conference. In listening to both I have pondered the rolls we has parents take in raising our children.
I have always loved history. In any given time period there are things I love, but my most favored time period is the Medieval time period. My boys love playing with toy swords, and for many years now any stick still becomes a sword. They are actually quite good. I was thinking that if we lived in a keep, they would all be quite acomplished warriors right now, or at least in training to be a knight.
At age 8 they would have been given thier first sword and through careful teaching they would have been taught how to use them. These warriors in training would be given careful training in battle techniques and weaponry. Instead we gave our children a set of scriptures and taught them how to find the answers to their questions. Instead of training we had Primary, Sacrament Meeting and Family Home Evening.
At age 12 the Medieval warrior would begin to go in small skirmishes. They would also begin to learn property management and protection techniques. At age 12 my sons (Daniel will follow in 3 months) became Deacons and began learning how to serve within the ward with passing the Sacrament and collecting Fast Offerings. They have also learned many character building techniques in Scouts and Young Mens.
At age 14 our young warrior is old enough to be a squire. He wouldn't be the primary squire, but would begin training in the care of his Lords weapons. He would learn the proper care of clothes and would fight along side the primary squire at his Lords back. Now at 14 our young sons become Teachers in the Prieshood of God, They become Home Teachers, learning to care for those who they have stewardship over. Thier other training continues, but now we have the addition of Early Morning Seminary. For this they must sacrifice sleep to learn more of our Heavenly Father, His plan for us, and a more in depth study of the scriptures.
At age 16 the warrior of old takes over full primary squire duties. He will now be sent on errands for his Lord, checking up on other properties, or going ahead to prepare for the arivial of him whom he serves. He will also be given the job of helping his younger sqires to take over when it is their turn. This is the most intesive part of his training as he moves into the final years of becoming a knight. Our 16 year old sons have reached the age of becoming Priests and now begin to Bless the Sacrament. Serve as assistant to the Bishop and teach younger Scouts, helping them to achieve new ranks. He has many people to help him along the way. Home and Family, Scout and Young Mens leaders, Sunday School and Seminary Teachers and the Bishopric. This is an intesive time of preparation.
Between 18 and 19 our Medieval young men approach that time when they begin the trials. The time when the must show what they have learned to become a knight. They are tested to see what skills they have learned. It all comes down to preparation. They then wait to see if they have made it, becoming a full knight--what will thier assignment be. Where will they go. Two weeks ago Matt finished his papers. He is an Elder in the Priesthood and serves in the Elders Quorum as Secretary. He is called upon many times to serve those in the ward. This is not something new, he has prepared carefully. Now we wait. . . where will his assignment be. . . He is now prepared to become a full Warrior of God.
