our world: M is for: our media pledge

Wednesday, April 09, 2014

M is for: our media pledge

I realized that we did have some family rules: no cell phones in bedrooms, filter on computers. We even changed the kid computer to an older laptop, so that we could have 2 kids working on homework on the web if they needed to with Scott or myself in the room.

But things were getting a little confusing, and our kids are a little older and are old enough making their own choices about music, movies etc. So, it was time for our family to make a media pledge. A pledge is a list of guidelines that have a purpose: to help us feel clean and happy. We discussed as a family different ideas that would guard us against pornography and help us understand the reasons why we want to be mindful of choosing good things.

During our Family meeting, we didn't want it to be boring. I also wanted our poster something that reflects our style: colorful with helpful messages to remind us of what to look for in "keeping it clean".

I explained that light and darkness can not exist together. "Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Light dispels darkness. When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart. More important, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs." ~Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

After some research, I worked on a list with great suggestions to share with our family. We discussed the ideas that would help us and these are the things we pledged:

Keep computers (and cell phones) out of bedrooms (our kids' phones are only text and talk, but it also helps them from playing games after hours).
Limit time spent online. Have a purpose before being online, no idle browsing.
Don't enter chat rooms.
Be honest about what you see, even if is by accident.
Speak up: if you see something that makes you uncomfortable, say it to a parent... on the same day. It will help to get it out of your mind.
Pay attention to the feelings of the Spirit when making choices.
Attend Church and Church activities.
Pray for protection.
Make good choices on movies. Learn about what's in it before you go.
Study the scriptures and pray daily.
Replace bad thoughts with good thoughts: song, exercise, leave the room.
Act quickly: turn off the computer.
TV after 8 is not great: contains more explicit content. Watch with a parent.

Then we each drew some pictures and signed our names. It hangs in a place where we can see it everyday. I liked this Make a PLAN from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called Protecting Ourselves against Pornography. It's a great start that helps me to realize that part of my job as being a mother is to support them with tools for them to govern themselves. It's not always an easy thing, but it's a daily act of love.

my Christmas poem

"Being only one star, what can you do When there are millions and millions and millions like you? 'I may be one, but I'm not all alone. Prophecies have declared my work written in stone. Many are waiting for what I am to give.
Looking for direction wherever they live. Everyone has something important to do, Your work may help one person; or even two.

Be a light to the world, no matter their view. Let love of the Lord reflect in you. And then it was time, our star couldn't stay. It's light announced the Savior, our first Christmas Day." ~ marci sargent, 2014 ~

"In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in commemorating the Christmas season. I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this precious season of the year?
~President Thomas S. Monson

"The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity". ~president Margaret D. Nadauld

"And we continue past the point we feel tired.
And we work past the point of our abilities.
And we remember who we are raising.
And within the warmth of hope,
we begin with the next day, to do again."

~marci sargent

"Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives. The future is as bright as your Faith." ~President Thomas S. Monson

"There are two important days in a woman’s life: The day she is born and the day she finds out why.” ~ Elaine Cannon

"The onslaught of wickedness against our children is more subtle and brazen than it has ever been. Building a strong family culture adds another layer of protection for our children, insulating them from worldly influences. God bless you goodly mothers and fathers in Zion. He has entrusted to your care His eternal children. As parents we partner, even join, with God in bringing to pass His work and glory among His children. It is our sacred duty to do our very best". ~ Elder L. Tom Perry

"My sweet young sisters, maintain an eternal perspective. Be alert to anything that would rob you of the blessings of eternity." ~President Thomas S. Monson

"I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by." ~President Thomas S. Monson

"Relief Society prepares women for the blessings of eternal life by awakening us spiritually to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Let us begin with ourselves. Let us begin where we are. Let us begin today. When we are spiritually awake, we will be better able to strengthen families and homes and help others." ~ Carole M Stephens

"Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness." ~Elder Richard G. Scott

"Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him. I testify that He loves us and blesses us, more than most of us have yet recognized." President Henry B. Eyring

"our faith in God includes faith in God’s timing."
"We do not control what I call “the great transfer board in the sky.” The inconveniences that are sometimes associated with release from our labors here are necessary in order to accelerate the work there. Heavenly Father can’t do His work there, with 10 times more people than we have on this planet, without on occasion taking some of the very best sisters and brothers from among us. The conditions of termination here, painful though they are, are a part of the conditions of acceleration there. Thus we are back to faith in the timing of God, and to our need to be able to say “Thy timing be done,” even when we do not fully understand it. " ~Elder Neal A. Maxwell Click to see full talk from 2002

"I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He “would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the battles of our] children’s children.” And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to “search diligently, pray always, and be believing. Then all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants."~ Elder Jeffery R. Holland, 2008

"Commune daily with your Heavenly Father who knows you best of all. He knows your talents, your strengths, and your weaknesses. You are here on the earth at this time to develop and refine these characteristics. I promise you He will help you. He is aware of your needs. He is aware of your unanswered prayers. ~Elder Marvin J. Ashton, May 1984

“To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home—which is society’s basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife” ~President Spencer W. Kimball

I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come. Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe. You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.When you walk in the light, you will feel at that moment some of the warmth and the happiness that will finally be yours when you are welcomed home again with the hundreds and perhaps thousands of others whom you will bring with you, who have walked in the light because you did. ~President Eyring, April 2008

"The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).¹ However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children." ~president Julie B. Beck