Index
|
The prophet Ezra Taft Benson stated, “The Book of Mormon was meant for us. It
was written for our day. Its scriptures are to be likened unto ourselves. With
that understanding, let us consider from the Book of Mormon the responsibility
fathers have to teach their sons, and the responsibility sons have to take
direction from their fathers.” (close quote) With this in mind, let us take a look at some fathers and sons in the Book of Mormon and see what lessons we can learn from them. The first example I would like to share with you is Lehi and Nephi. In 1 Nephi 1:1 it says (pause) “I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father.” Lehi taught his son not only writing and worldly knowledge, but he also taught him his religion and to have faith. How well Nephi was taught by Lehi, is reflected in Nephi’s ability. In Nephi 2:16 we learn that even at an “exceedingly young age” Nephi was able to recount important scriptural events and to apply them to his own experience in order to encourage himself and others. At one point Nephi quotes “Let us be strong like unto Moses;…The Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers.” It was his father’s teachings on faith and trust in the Lord that allowed Nephi to succeed in obtaining the brass plates. Lehi was not only a teacher, he was a friend. We learn this just after Lehi’s death when Nephi writes what has been called his Psalm. In 2 Nephi 4:12 we read of Lehi’s death and just 5 verses later we read of Nephi’s sorrow. ( read verse 17) This is an indication of how deep Nephi felt the loss of his father. His father had been a strength in his growing up years, had been his friend and had been his prophet. Nephi had lost his confidant, advisor, and shield against the anger and hatred of his brothers. Perhaps the greatest tribute to the father/son partnership of Lehi and Nephi was given by one of their descendents, Helaman, a righteous chief judge who named his two sons Nephi and Lehi. Turn to Helaman 5:6 (pause and then read) Nearing the end of the Book of Mormon we learn of another father/son relationship. Mormon and Moroni. Here is the pattern of a son following his righteous father. Mormon and Moroni had a loving and tender relationship even amid a dark and savage society that was being sweep off the face of the earth. Mormon’s spiritual growth began at about the age of 14, the same as the prophet Joseph Smith, who would later translate Mormon’s writings. At age 15 Mormon was called to the ministry and was a disciple of Jesus Christ. In the same year we read in Mormon 2:1-2 (pause and then read). Mormon had been called to preach the gospel and lead the armies of the Nephites at one of the most wicked times, So what kind of relationship would a man like Mormon have with his own son? Mormon must have taught his son well the gospel because the Lord designed that the record should be finished not by Mormon but by Moroni. The son Moroni was no ‘wimp.” He led ten thousand men into the final battle as one of his father’s generals. As the last surviving Nephite, Moroni picks up where his father left off and finishes the record. One of the best things Mormon taught his son Moroni was to be true and faithful to the end and to draw comfort and strength from the Lord. ( read Moroni 1:2&3) So against the dark backdrop of unspeakable wickedness we see a powerful and loving picture of a righteous father and his son. We saw in the Book of Mormon’s opening line that the book owes its exsistence to the power of a father’s influence and as the book nears its end we see Moroni completing the work his father began. Through-out the Book of Mormon there are many examples of father’s and sons. There was Lehi and Nephi, Jacob and Enos, King Benjamin, Mosiah, and his 4 sons, Alma, Alma the Younger and his sons, Moroni, the great general and his son Moronihah who followed in his footsteps, Helaman, his sons Nephi and Lehi, Mormon and Moroni and finally the one that we can gain the greatest example from God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. By studying these fathers and their sons we can learn much. How to set a righteous example, the power of praying for children, the good that comes from praising obedient children, and how important it is to teach children from the scriptures, to share personal testimony experiences. I am so grateful to have been born of goodly parents and to be taught in the learning of my father. My father is a righteous man who teaches me about honoring the priesthood. He teaches me from the scriptures. We have had many a family night where we have learned the pattern of Khiasmis and how to understand it in the Book of Mormon. Two Family nights ago my father shared his testimony of the Prophet Joseph as we read the first vision together. I am grateful for his testimony. (Bear you testimony and close … I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. |