Nourish the wheat 

One of the scariest things I’ve had to learn as a parent is that I can’t eliminate every bad influence from my children’s lives.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t try to create a safe environment in my home.

But at the end of the day, I can’t control everything my kids will ever be exposed to.

In the parable of the wheat and the tares, the Lord taught:

“Pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.” (D&C 86:6)

I can’t get rid of all the tares in the world, and my kids will see that.

But as scary as this realization can be, Elder L. Tom Perry taught a sweet but powerful reminder:⁣

“A steward managing the field must, with all his or her power, nourish that which is good and make it so strong and beautiful the tares will have no appeal either to the eye or the ear.”⁣

I don’t have to sit around, angry at all the tares.

I can nourish the good!

I can help the wheat become so strong and beautiful that the tares lose their appeal.

I can teach and be open about the natural consequences that come from the tares.

And I can prove through the way I live my life that sticking with the wheat is the way to go.

The tares will always be around, but the wheat can still flourish.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black