A wise bishop
By Charlene Donahue
 

I had a wise Bishop in a previous ward I attended that had a solution for those parents struggling with young babies, toddlers, etc.

In sacrament meeting he spoke to the ward as a whole. He told them to look around at the mothers who struggle with their young children, who never seem to be able to sit longer than a minute at a time in sacrament before they are forced to leave the chapel with a fussy baby/child.

He admonished the members of the ward to reach out and help these individuals. When a young child begins to get rambunctious, a baby gets a little fussy, etc., that we as members of the ward family should offer ourselves to take the baby or child out for the mother so that she may be able to get that spiritual message/ that spiritual recharge that she so desperately needs. Allow her to find rest and comfort in the Lord's words and teachings.

At the time I had no children myself. As a matter of fact I had no patience for other people's children. When I heard a baby cry for longer than three seconds in sacrament I would begin to get really upset. I thought that the parents had no consideration for anybody that was trying to listen to the message or wished to find complete silence and reverence during the passing of the sacrament. The words of this Bishop opened my heart and my mind. I felt so low! I saw my selfishness, I saw that I lacked true Christ like love and compassion. I never thought that these young mothers and fathers could be struggling. Here I was a more than
capable person, with no responsibilities of children of my own. Not once did I think to reach out and ask the parent if I could assist them in holding their baby or carrying their tired toddler around the halls until they could fall asleep.

I have learned and grown much since that time. I have also have had my own children since then. I am so grateful for the members of my current ward who are so quick to offer assistance to care for my 13 month old while I serve in the nursery and my husband in the Elders Quorum Presidency.

The answer for mothers/fathers with children under 18 months is not to flex the rules of the church, but to have the members of the ward family to step up and help those in need. Talk to your bishop, have him talk to the ward. Have him to remind them to love and serve those around them in church on Sundays. Sometimes we members of the church think we have to reach outside the church when providing service and love. We should first start with our families then ward families!