Lt 4, 1853

Pearsall, Brother and Sister

Rochester, New York

June 30, 1853

Previously unpublished. See also Annotations.

Dear Brother and Sister Pearsall:

We received your letter yesterday. I hardly know how to answer it. Parents have a sacred duty to perform to their children, which many neglect, but they will yet mourn their sad neglect. Great care should be taken by parents to study the disposition of their children and it is also necessary to be very kind and affectionate to their children, and thereby gain their affections, and make them love you. It is not the wisest course to be very severe but it is always best to be decided and unyielding, and when we tell a child anything, never let them tease you out of it. Be very careful of this.1LtMs, Lt 4, 1853, par. 1

July 5, 1853

You see I commenced your letter some days ago but have not had time to finish it. Last Sabbath I was taken off in vision and was shown many things, some of which I have not [time] to write.1LtMs, Lt 4, 1853, par. 2

I saw something about the government of children, that parents were standing in the place of God to their children and that parents must be united in their efforts to save their children, and must take hold of the Word in good earnest and while they may be corrected for their faults, ever encourage their well-doing and pray with them and for them.1LtMs, Lt 4, 1853, par. 3