Remember Him
One of the best examples of parenting from the scriptures is that of King Benjamin teaching his sons in Mosiah 1. It is a phenomenal chapter it shows what a brave parent he is. One of the modern plagues of today is the tendency for parents to forego the most important teaching opportunities. A second plague is that of ignorance, like it says in verse 3, ignorance includes suffering -- suffering that comes from "not knowing the mysteries of God." Parents have an amazing possibility of helping their children avoid the doubt and pain that comes from being blindsided by life's questions. I have been so blessed to have "goodly parents," who have taught me where and how to turn, and they also help me find my own answers to the questions I have. They have taught me to value education; my goodness I am thankful for them. I know everyone was not born into that kind of a situation, but as my mom told me recently, "everyone has the opportunity to be a pioneer parent." True that. You lead the way. You make the change. You can be the parent (and prepare to be the parent) that you never had.
Mosiah taught his children to "become men of understanding" (vs. 2). What does that look like? What does being a person of understanding mean? I hardly think it means having all the answers, rather, I believe it has everything to do with "[searching the scriptures] diligently that ye may profit thereby, and... [keeping] the commandments of God" (vs. 7). Our society places less and less value on obedience and principles. For example, check out this Mormon Message by Elder Perry.
Look at what King Benjamin says about those who are obedient in the very next chapter, "I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41).
Knowledge comes from application -- from trying and testing the gospel out for yourself. However, "all these things [are] types" (Mosiah 13:31). The commandments are a way to include Christ and His Gospel into every aspect of our lives. They are types or symbols of Him and how we should live to be like Him. "Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him" (Mosiah 13:30). That's the reason we have commandments -- to remember Him.
Those who don't understand the value of the knowledge that comes from observing the laws we are given "have not applied [their] hearts to understanding" (Mosiah 12:27). In some cases, they "do withdraw [themselves] from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place... to guide... in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved" (Mosiah 2:36).
We have so much information and knowledge available to us. Seriously, I am blown away by the access that is available to us -- as long as we turn to the correct sources of information to find our answers. For example, while the commandments and laws of God are essential, we can know that "salvation doth not come by the law alone" (Mosiah 13:28).
We can try the gospel out for ourselves with the best of intentions and true desire in our hearts, recognize and remember Him as we do so, and help those around us to do the same. I especially want to emphasize the importance of teaching and preparing to teach those things to children. I know a lot of people aren't able to have children or don't see that in their future, but even then we can influence the society and culture we live in. We can help those around us to remember Him.
Look at what King Benjamin says about those who are obedient in the very next chapter, "I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41).
Knowledge comes from application -- from trying and testing the gospel out for yourself. However, "all these things [are] types" (Mosiah 13:31). The commandments are a way to include Christ and His Gospel into every aspect of our lives. They are types or symbols of Him and how we should live to be like Him. "Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him" (Mosiah 13:30). That's the reason we have commandments -- to remember Him.
Those who don't understand the value of the knowledge that comes from observing the laws we are given "have not applied [their] hearts to understanding" (Mosiah 12:27). In some cases, they "do withdraw [themselves] from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place... to guide... in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved" (Mosiah 2:36).
We have so much information and knowledge available to us. Seriously, I am blown away by the access that is available to us -- as long as we turn to the correct sources of information to find our answers. For example, while the commandments and laws of God are essential, we can know that "salvation doth not come by the law alone" (Mosiah 13:28).
We can try the gospel out for ourselves with the best of intentions and true desire in our hearts, recognize and remember Him as we do so, and help those around us to do the same. I especially want to emphasize the importance of teaching and preparing to teach those things to children. I know a lot of people aren't able to have children or don't see that in their future, but even then we can influence the society and culture we live in. We can help those around us to remember Him.
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