THE GREATEST GIFT

 

 

The never ending lessons of Nephi, the man whose soul delighted in prophesying about Christ (2 Nephi 13)….who delighted in teaching people in plainness that they may learn (2 Nephi 25:5)…..who had the spirit with him constantly (2 Nephi 28:1; 1 Nephi 4:6; 2 Nephi 25:5; 1 Nephi 11:1,11; 1 Nephi 15:1), but most of all this: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that OUR CHILDREN may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).

Nephi mentioned several times in his record that he wanted to teach his children about Christ (2 Nephi 11:2,3; 25:6,23,26). This I think was the dearest task to his heart because no doubt ‘his children’ would have included his entire posterity. His faith in Christ would have been his greatest legacy to them who came after him.

I think of many influential fathers from the Book of Mormon and the way they taught their children and passed onto them their testimonies of Christ. I think of Enos and his remembrance of the teachings of his father concerning eternal life which enlarged his soul to yearn for the salvation of the Lamanites (Enos 1:2, 13-16). I think of Alma the Younger who remembered his father's preaching of Jesus Christ who would atone for the sins of the world, and because of which he called upon Christ's mercy during his crucible of repentance (Alma 36:17,18).  I think of him becoming a good parent who taught his son Shiblon that Christ is ‘the life and the light of the world’ (Alma 38:9) and who taught his son Corianton the seriousness of sexual sin which led to his son’s repentance (Alma 39). I think of Alma’s son Helaman who affirmed to his father that he believed in Jesus Christ who should come and promised his father he will keep the commandments with ‘all his heart’ (Alma 45:3-7). Helaman passed his testimony of Christ onto his son, 2^nd Nephi, who passed it onto his son, 3^rd Nephi, who passed it onto his son, 4^th Nephi. And who could forget Moroni whose father’s teachings permeate most of his record, namely chapters 7, 8 and 9 of his book.

Our children will not forget our examples and our testimonies of Christ and they will one day seek salvation at His hand. This is our greatest legacy. This is our greatest joy. This is our greatest responsibility. This is our greatest gift.

I will spread the word

Your gift of salvation to honour

And satisfy my children’s hidden hunger.

I will help them know

Your arms are their shelter,

Your heart is their home,

Their only hope

For protection from the storm.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Forever by David Bowman)