Goodly Parents

I find it particularly interesting that of all of the things that Nephi could have started his account with, that of all the phrases he could have used, he chose this poignant and powerful message:  

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents . . ."

Perhaps it is because I am now a parent, or maybe it is that I was impressed at my parents recently; either way as I have been reading the Book of Mormon this time I have paid particular attention to the powerful example of parents that Lehi and Sariah were.  And, after reading only half of first Nephi it is little wonder that Nephi started his account the way he did.

Here is an important lesson I have learned on this subject:

-Listen to a righteous parents council:

 In first Nephi 1 and 2 Lehi has a vision where the Lord commands him to leave Jerusalem and take his family into the wilderness.  Understandably, this must have been difficult for Laman and Lemuel to hear, not to mention the rest of the family.  After all, we learn later that they had great wealth which they were now being asked to leave behind. To this and the following tasks that came with it the children had very different reactions.

Laman and Lemuel we read in 1 Nephi 2:12 "...did murmur against their father.  And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them." You see, they did not understand that Lehi, their father, was a righteous priesthood holder who had received revelation from the Lord for their family.  Which is, after-all, his right as the patriarch of the family.  They did not understand the dealings of God that came through their righteous father.

 

  Contrast this now with Nephi's response in chapter 3:7 when asked by his father to return to Jeruselam, no easy task, and get the plates of brass, "And it came to pass that I, Nephi said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."  What absolute faith in his fathers ability to receive direction for their family.

...And later, Nephi showed the ultimate respect and submission to the great patriarch of the family and the priesthood he held, when even after Lehi in a temporary moment of weakness had murmured about a broken bow, Nephi still turned to his father and asked "whither shall I go to obtain food?"  He was humble enough to ask his father, who had the right to receive revelation for his family, where to go to obtain food.  

 

Now the lesson:  It is and always has been easy to accept council from a righteous father/parents when it is convenient for us, or when it is in accordance with that which we already had decided on.  However, the true test of faith and character is to listen to and obey parents council even when it is not convenient, or when it goes against that which we "want," or "think" is best for us.  

    It is my testimony that I have been born of goodly parents who have taught me righteous principles.  Furthermore, I am lucky enough to have righteous in-laws who have taught my wife.  I hope that I can always be as humble as Nephi and follow the council of my righteous parents.  Thank you mom and dad, and thank you to Julia's parents for living the gospel and being righteous enough, and in tune enough to receive revelation concerning us your children!  

Finally: Thank you mom and dad for always being brave enough to have the difficult conversations with me, which were always what I "needed" to hear, even if they weren't always what I "wanted" to hear.

I love you!