Family is a recurring theme throughout the Book of Mormon. There are two particular precepts regarding the family to emphasize in this writing. First, in the Book of Mormon the family encompasses the past, present, and future. Second, righteous parents do not give up on their children, no matter how rebellious, lost, or likely their future rebellion.
The constant concern for past, present, and future family is evidenced from the very start of the book. Following the successful retrieval of the plates of brass from Laban:
Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records. And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed— That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed. Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed (1 Nephi 5:16-19.)
Notice how Lehi’s newly found knowledge about his family past resulted in his prophesying about his family future - “his seed.” No doubt this newfound knowledge caused reflection on Lehi’s part as he realized that the only seed he had with him in the wilderness was four sons and the servant Laban, Zoram. The only female in the group was Lehi’s wife, Sariah - nt a formula for a large posterity. It seems reasonable to assume that the obvious limitations on the future of his family worked upon his mind after prophesying about his seed.
Meanwhile, Nephi seems to have had similar feelings for the future of the family. Nephi already knew that his posterity could not be expected to keep the commandments without the scriptures (see 1 Nephi 4:14-17.) Knowing this, following he and his father’s searching of the plates of brass, Nephi writes about his own efforts to write:
For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world. Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men (1 Nephi 6:4-6.)
This same multigenerational interest is evidenced in virtually every other account of a Book of Mormon disciple Lehi and Nephi to Mormon and Moroni.
Lehi’s prophesying regarding his seed and subsequent pondering seems to have prepared him for further instruction from the Lord:
after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness (1 Nephi 7:1-2.)
For the Lord’s purposes to be fulfilled Lehi’s family had to persist far into the future. Therefore, the Lord provided a complementary family with the same number of daughters as Lehi had sons, and one to spare with whom Zoram be a companion. No surprise then that soon these daughters were married and a viable multigenerational family was begun. Interestingly, there is no mention of Lehi’s daughters until after Ishmael’s family joined Lehi’s (see 2 Nephi 5:6.) Could it be that there was already a familial tie between the two families with the daughters of Lehi having married the sons of Ishmael?
Another precept to be derived from the Book of Mormon regarding family is how faithful parents do not give up on wayward children, even when revelation suggests a bleak future for the child. During his dream Lehi was shown that Laman and Lemuel did not partake of the fruit of the tree. However, there is no hint of his giving up on his wayward sons. Instead, we read:
And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord. And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them (1 Nephi 8:35-38.)
How easy it would have been for Lehi to have said to himself, “Well, no need to try and help Laman and Lemuel. The Lord has shown me their future, and the battle will be lost.” Instead, “he did exhort them when with all the feeling of a tender parent.” What an example to every parent! Again, this same concern for a wayward child is manifest throughout the Book of Mormon.
The precepts for each latter-day disciple are that we have an eternal view of family - past, present, and future - and that we never give up on our children. As I have sought to abide by these precepts they have proven to help me draw closer to God.
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