Eyes to See

Eyes to see. That's what's on my mind today. I'm trying hard not to be offended by the blindness of my children. This morning, that's taking considerable effort.

Our family is experiencing some turbulence right now, and one thought keeps marching across the stage of my mind: Bless my children to have eyes to see. Bless me to have eyes to see as well.

Jacob 3

Several phrases stood out to me this morning:

• Firmness of mind; exceeding faith
• Console in your afflictions
• Plead your cause
• Send down justice

Now that's one we could use. The infraction isn't enormous—just a little blindness and a little selfishness—but those things can still cause deep hurt.

Then Jacob counsels us to feast upon the love of God. One of the places I most clearly see God's love is in the teachings of His prophets.

Another reminder: remember your own faults. I have things to work on too.

Jacob also warns us to teach our children, lest we be accountable for neglecting that responsibility. That naturally led me to ponder President Oaks' recent conference message.

One phrase especially caught my attention: "Arouse the faculties of your souls." What a powerful invitation.

What are faculties? Inherent mental and spiritual powers. How do we arouse them? By exposing ourselves to goodness, truth, and light. Jacob teaches that doing so helps us avoid becoming subject to the adversary.

President Oaks — The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ (October 2025)

President Oaks taught that Church doctrine centers on the family, the temple, and the ordinances that enable us to return to Heavenly Father as families.

Family is pivotal to God's plan. Everything Heavenly Father does is for the benefit of His spirit children.

He also spoke of opposition. There certainly seems to be plenty of that in the world today. Marriage and childbearing continue to decline, and one observation from his talk struck me as particularly sad:

Modern conveniences have caused many homes to become little more than boardinghouses—places where we sleep and occasionally eat, but where there is far less parental direction and family interaction.

We have a God-given responsibility to teach our children and prepare them for their eternal destiny.

As I reflect on our own family, I wonder, Did we do enough? My parents' generation taught largely by example. Family life was woven into everyday living rather than formal lessons. We tried to do the same. Yet the world has changed dramatically, and it's not hard to see why prophets have repeatedly emphasized a family-centered, Church-supported gospel.

President Oaks reminded us that God will consecrate our afflictions for our gain. I hold onto that promise.

Family is where we learn life's essential lessons. As we currently struggle with an intense display of selfishness, I find myself wondering how effectively any of us teach kindness, forgiveness, self-control, patience, love, and responsibility. These lessons take a lifetime to learn.

Families flourish when they learn together. Counseling together should be a regular family practice.

One statement made me smile—and wince a little:

What children really want for dinner is time with you.

That isn't always the norm today. It was when we were raising our family. Breakfast and dinner around the table were expected, not exceptional.

President Oaks encouraged families to pray together morning and night, pray for shared concerns, attend church together, tell stories, and create traditions.

As I worked through his counsel, I found myself holding a mental checklist: How did we do? How are we doing now?

The questions can feel daunting.

But perhaps the better question is this:

Do we have eyes to see what the Lord is trying to teach us through our current afflictions?

I'm praying that we do.