The Scriptures Speak to Children

One night as our children were getting ready for bed, our youngest son, Brad, told me he didn’t want to go to school the next day. I sat down with him and asked what was bothering him. He said he was feeling ignored, left out, and shunned by his friends.

I tried to console him by telling him what his older siblings had done in similar situations. We talked about self-worth and about what Heavenly Father would want him to do. But Brad still seemed troubled. Finally, I shared with Brad that when I feel sad and discouraged, reading the scriptures can help me find comfort.

We said our good-nights, and I went into my room and prepared for bed. I had just turned off my light when I heard Brad call to me from his room. I rolled out of bed and walked down the hall to see what was the matter.

Brad was sitting on his bed with his scriptures open on his lap. He looked up at me and said, “Mom, look what I found. I just opened my scriptures, and my eyes fell on this verse.” He pointed to Matthew 5:43–44.

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” [Matt. 5:43–44]

Brad’s face beamed with peace and courage. He had just received an answer to his troubling situation. How grateful I was that a loving Father in Heaven would respond to my son’s needs.

As we said good-night a second time, Brad asked, “Was that worth getting out of bed for, Mom?” It certainly was!—Carol B. Moss, Primary general board

Illustrated by Dikayl Dunkley

Photography by Steve Bunderson; photo props by Shawna Mooney Kawasaki