Heavenly Parent

The scriptures are about God's dealings with His children. There are many senses of "children" in the writings of the prophets. One is the spirit children of God, or all those who are the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, which includes everyone. Another refers to those who have made a covenant with the Lord, Jesus Christ. The "covenant people" are the "Children of Christ" as noted by King Benjamin:

And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you;
(Mosiah 5:7)

Babies

If we think about the word "begotten" in a physical sense, we automatically think of a fetus in the mother's womb, and then a baby is born, and then the child grows up slowly and methodically, learning little-by-little, his parents guiding him until he becomes a man -- independent, full of wisdom and knowledge, adept, able to care for himself and others so he can have a family and start the process again.

I think that spiritually it is similar. When we make a covenant with Christ and are "born again" we start a new life as an infant. Growth is slow.

Since Christ is our Father, He nurtures. He protects us and provides for us, as all fathers do for their children. He also gives us instruction. Part of this instruction is to correct and chasten us. He tells us the right way, and if we don't listen, He gets out the "hearing aid!" My friend's father had a paddle he had made with holes in it, and called it "the hearing aid." He spanks us when we're disobedient. He is a good Father -- using the "natural consequences" parenting style.

His own children

People don't go into a neighbor's house and start trying to discipline their children. Parents discipline their own children. The Lord is no different.

For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not; and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.
And again, he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind; and the effect thereof is poison.
And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction.
(Mosiah 7:29-31)

Christ takes care of His own. He doesn't go into the house of another and start imposing His (albeit righteous) will on them. Those who are not in His family are not chastened, but rather those who are in His family -- His people.

His parenting style

He disciplines according to the need. A little baby is never spanked for making mistakes. Instead he is simply cared-for, cleaned-up, fed, and clothed by the parents. Babies are just loved, cuddled, and nurtured. As they grow, children can understand, tolerate, and even need more instruction. This may include some suffering, skinned knees, and so forth

In like manner, Christ just takes care of those who are spiritual infants. He nurtures and coddles them, not expecting anything of them. He cleans up their messes. They are only loved. However, as they grow, they can tolerate a little more instruction and correction. They will get "time-out's" and be allowed to suffer the consequences of their actions.

He doesn't use force, but does allow us to suffer the consequences of our disobedience. As noted above, "the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression..." His children only suffer the natural consequences of their actions so they can learn. He doesn't leave them. He asks, and then answers:

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
(Isaiah 49:15)

He is not an "absentee Father," but rather very hands-on, constantly leading, guiding, and instructing -- every step of the way. He does not let go or leave, but is there all the time. Even when I tell Him to "leave me alone, I want to do it myself," He stands by and waits for me to ask for help. And then He immediately intervenes on my behalf. He would never allow me to fall and get hurt -- if I ask for help. If I am hurt, it is because I don't look to Him.

The desire to grow up

I want to grow. I want to grow up to be just like my Father, and His Father, our Father in Heaven. I don't want to remain an infant, coddled, protected, and nurtured through all Eternity. I want to grow up and have my own family, teaching them the same way my Father taught me. I want to be like Him.

Because of this, I am so grateful for His instruction. I stand all amazed at his love, His loving kindness, His individual instruction for me. I know I am nothing, compared to Him, and yet He takes the time to be with me, and help me to learn and grow. I know He loves me more than I can even understand. He is truly a Heavenly Parent!