Our Friends in their Golden Years

By Frank Ouimette

(This article was inspired by a talk given by Apostle Boyd K. Packer at General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, April 2003)

These days, many people tend to look on the older generations as a burden. They think these old-timers are old-fashioned in their ways and in their thinking. Inefficient, slow, obsolete.

But in thinking this way, they miss the fact the older generation has a lot of experience in life’s trials and opportunities and have much to offer to the rising generation.

See what Job says in the Old Testament:

JOB 12: 12-13

“With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.” (Job 12:12-13)

Be close to your parents and grandparents. They can help you more than you realize.

Young women should be close to older women because of their knowledge and experience and learn the ways that have been passed down through the generations that sometimes work when modern ways don’t.

Young men should be close to the older men because they have gone through many things that you have not yet experienced in your own lives, but soon may. They can help you avoid mistakes that will affect your lives and show you how to choose a better way.

TITUS 2: 1-7

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.” (Titus 2:1-7)

They love you and know that the future of the world and the church are in your hands.

Don’t re-invent the wheel when it is already made and perfected.

If you do not have your grandfathers and grandmothers near you, look for neighbors and local people who are older to be friends with. Most will have experience and advice you will need in your life.

Watch how they live. They don’t jump first then think after. Things are planned out.

They may be the kind of people who know how to save a nest egg for the future, have food storage advice, be able to fix things in a way that you do not have to go and buy, and see what is coming in the world and prepare for it.

You will find someday that what you think was a burden now; you will look back and find that it really was a blessing to you.

Parents and grandparents often worry about their children and grandchildren, which is good, because it shows they care, but the older generation should also remember that their progenies are the Lord’s children also and that He wants each to gain the experience of this mortal probation, sometimes away from their parents and grandparents.

They have come here for their test and to learn on their own in many cases. That is why they need to leave their father and mothers and experience life alone or with their spouse and children.

Below is one of the 10 Commandments that we will be judged for obeying or disobeying:

“Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12)

Even though older people have served in many capacities in their communities, and are eventually released from those duties, they are never released from the Gospel. They must live it, teach it, and become who the Lord wanted them to become through the experiences they learn in mortality.

The greatest goal of all is to strengthen your family and seal the generations together to be part of God’s eternal family.