I began homeschooling at the beginning of the 1974-5 school year—not on purpose. I had never heard the word “homeschooling.” My good friend and mentor had signed me up to teach in a small private school while I was visiting my parents out of state. School was soon to start, but on the first school day my friend called and told me to stay home; the owners--who I hadn’t yet met--were ill.

 

Staying home with my children was wonderful. I loved it. My friend called Dr. Cleon Skousen’s office and learned that we could legally teach our own family at home. So we did! And I never looked back. My life became an adventure, with threats from school districts, media involvement (including the Phil Donahue show), participating in many conferences over many decades, and holding conferences of my own for seventeen years. Now, at 78, I still can’t seem to retire.  

 

When President Nelson traveled to many foreign nations, he usually ended his presentations with, “Parents, protect your children.” That we must do. It seems that my final mission is to encourage parents to protect their children from any school situation in which Satan has influence. In the early days of our church, school was held in church buildings. It is my opinion that many parts of education must be fully reestablished under the umbrella of the church before we can attain residency in Zion.

 

What do you think?

(See Joyce and her husband on the Phil Donahue Show below)