Counsel with your Siblings

Two boys found a pair of shoes on the side of the road. They looked around and saw the owner a long way off. The younger boy thought it would be funny to hide the shoes. However, the older boy wisely said that instead of hiding them, they should put a silver dollar in each shoe. They did so, then hid to see the reaction.

When the man returned from the field, he was surprised to find two dollars in his shoes. Extremely grateful, he knelt down and thanked his God for the strangers who have helped him and his poor family who were in desperate need. The younger boy witnessed this prayer and his life was changed forever. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Some Lessons I Learned as a Boy, April 1993 General Conference)

Who are the greatest teachers in our lives? It could be a parent or grandparent. Perhaps a school teacher or religious leader. But don't underestimate the power of a sibling who is also learning to do what is right. As youth grow and mature, they start to see the world around them differently as they gain experience. They begin to understand how the Holy Ghost speaks to them and how his guidance helps them to be happy. For them, the lessons of life are fresh and new. As they make changes in their lives to find happiness, the younger generation are watching and can see how happy they are becoming and will be motivated to follow.

One young girl, the youngest of her family, loved being with her siblings so much. Although her siblings were between six and thirteen years older, she felt a close bond to them. They would often read bedtime stories to her. Sometimes for her bedtime story, they would pull out their school textbooks and start reading out loud so they could study while reading to their little sister. This young girl grew up knowing what it meant to love and care for someone, and developed a passion for studying herself.

The ancient prophet Alma the Younger taught his son Corianton to "counsel with [his] elder brothers" and to "give heed to their counsel." He said this because, since Corianton had made some mistakes, he stood "in need to be nourished by [his] brothers." (Alma 39:10) Alma saw the value of what older siblings can do. Not only do they act as exemplars to the younger children, but they are in a unique position to also nourish and walk beside them as well.

Both the younger brother who put a silver dollar in the poor man's shoe and Corianton listened to their older brothers. They were humble enough to accept their teachings. As they saw what made the older brothers happy, they found courage to try it themselves.

As children grow and gain experience, they also learn that there is one older brother, Jesus Christ, who provides the greatest nourishment. We should seek daily to become humbles enough to listen to his counsel. This is why we pray often. This is why we read His holy scriptures. As we do so, we can find peace in his words and happiness in his way of life. And all we have to do is be humble enough to listen and to walk in his footsteps.