MIGHTY MEN

 

 

As I course through the pages of the Book of Mormon, I delight in the men who recorded the history of ancient America, but more importantly who recorded their understanding of eternal life, the doctrine of Christ, the prophecies, their struggles, their teachings, their repentance, their humanity, their worthiness. I see their strength and recognize their imprints on history and their contributions to the salvation of humanity. I love their examples and their power. I will forever cherish the strength of these men who fought for religious rights and their freedom.  

One cannot read the Book of Mormon and not notice the effect the righteous fathers have on their children. The records were generally passed from father to son so it is easy to pick this up. I am always deeply touched when I read: “I am Helaman, the son of Alma” (Alma 58:41). It brings to my mind who Alma was, his admirable process of repentance and conversion stands next to Paul’s in my mind. There is only one more touching statement in the Book of Mormon for me and it is this: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (3 Nephi 9:15). And this is what the Saviour said about His sonship: “….I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me….The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do” (John 8:28; 5:19). Is there a greater example than this?

Take heed fathers, you have more influence on your children than you can imagine. I am not saying here that all sons of righteous fathers will be faithful, but they stand a better chance if they have the righteous example before them. I watched an endearing video recently of a little boy and his father purchasing flowers for Mothers’ Day. He was not older than 4. He had a younger sister at home and a baby sister. The boy chose three bouquets. As he looked around for appropriate flowers, he ran to his father and said: “I love you Dad”. You could tell, in that moment, the boy was emulating his father. He was there because of him and he was honoring his mother and his sisters because of him. It brought tears to my eyes and such great admiration for this man who was a valiant father to his son.

Men, you are important….so very important! Not just to be good fathers but good sons, good husbands, good brothers….to be the protectors of women you were born to be. Don’t let the world tell you that you are not needed or appreciated. If you walk up to the stature of your creation, the women around you will love you and appreciate you. And if you emulate the greatest Son of all, you will bring blessings upon your children’s heads such as you had not imagined before.

Your fatherly love,

And the flame of your sacrifices

Burns bright with all its might;

Your legacy, your love,

Your fatherly alms:

Forever etched

In the hollow of my heart.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Father and Son by Danny Hahlbohm)

FATHERS' SONS

 

There is a strong depiction of father-son relationships in the Book of Mormon. This is obvious because the records were kept by men and handed down to their sons. What else can be seen, however, is the spiritual legacy passed on from father to son.

Consider for a moment just these few sons who had been righteously influenced by their fathers: Nephi, who believed all the words of his father Lehi (1 Nephi 2:16) and became crucial to preserving the tribe of Joseph in Americas; Enos who allowed the words of his father Jacob to sink deep into his heart (Enos 1:3) and because of which he was led to such mighty prayer that God could not be restrained from covenanting with him regarding the preservation of the records and the imminent salvation of the Lamanites (Enos 1:16);  Alma the Younger remembering his father’s prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ when he was racked with torment for his sins (Alma 36:17); and his concern for his son Corinaton which prompted an entire discourse on God's justice, mercy and resurrection spanning three chapters of his book (Alma 40,1,2); Moroni who accepted the incredible responsibility to safeguard the records and who gave us the discourse on faith, hope and charity as taught by his father Mormon (Moroni 7:1).

What is also felt throughout the Book of Mormon is the inter-generational influence evidenced by many repeated references to the 'fathers', rather than 'ancestors'. Helaman the second gave his two sons the names of Nephi and Lehi so that they would always remember them and carry on their good works (Helaman 5:6,7). And indeed they did, keeping the commandments and teaching the word of God among all the people of Nephi (Helaman 5:14). What do we learn from these family associations? That the testimony of righteous fathers can be a guiding beacon for generations to come.

There is one relationship that stands out the most in the Book of Mormon but this time it is the son-father relationship. Nobody has been a greater son to his father than Jesus, who fulfilled the will of the Father in all things (3 Nephi 1:14); the son who 'does always those things that please him" (John 8:29) and was consequently called by the Father "Well Beloved" (Helaman 5:47). During His visit to the Americas, according to my calculations, Jesus made 148 references to the Father. He came not only to affirm his divine Sonship but to teach the people to worship the Father. It is the Saviour's love for the Father, more than His love for us, that motivated Him to become the author of our salvation, defending and preserving the Father’s glory forever (Moses 4:2). During His ministry Jesus stated often that He and the Father are one (3 Nephi 11:27, John 14:10-11). He is the perfect son because of a perfect father.

I hope you fathers recognise the crucial role you play. Without your protection, guidance and principled teaching, the future generations cannot make things better. Without you fulfilling your God given role, societies can crumble and families can be lost forever. May you be the fathers that your sons and daughters are proud to recognise as their own for is there a more touching declaration in the Book of Mormon than this: "I am Helaman, the son of Alma" (Alma 58:41)......except, there is this one: "I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (3 Nephi 9:15).

- CATHRYNE ALLEN  

(Art: Father Thy Will Be Done by B Laura Wilson) 

THE FATHER TO REVEAL

 

The babe that lay in the manger 2021 years ago came for two reasons: to secure our salvation and to reveal to us the Father.  Until Christ came people mainly understood God’s power, His holiness and His anger and judgment but when Christ came, He showed them the Father’s deep devotion and His merciful love towards His children. This He did through himself because that’s the way He was. He has said that He and the Father are one to the Jews, to the Nephites and to us (John 14:9-11; 3 Nephi 11:27; D&C 50:43; 93:3) therefore the way He is, is the way the Father is. I highly recommend that you read this Christmas  Elder Holland’s conference talk of 2003 entitled “The Grandeur of God” to fully understand this. 

 

There is a strong depiction of father-son relationships in the Book of Mormon. This is rightfully obvious because the records were kept by men and handed down to their sons. What else can be seen, however, is the spiritual legacy passed on from father to son. Consider for a moment just these few sons who had been righteously influenced by their fathers: Nephi, who believed all the words of his father Lehi (1 Nephi 2:16) and became crucial to preserving the tribe of Joseph in Americas; Enos who allowed the words of his father Jacob to sink deep into his heart (Enos 1:3) and because of which he was led to such mighty prayer that God could not be restrained from covenanting with him regarding the preservation of records and imminent salvation of the Lamanites (Enos 1:16);  Alma the Younger's concern for his son Corinaton which prompted an entire discourse on God's justice, mercy and resurrection spanning three chapters of his book (Alma 40,1,2); Moroni who accepted the incredible responsibility to safeguard the records and who gave us the discourse on faith, hope and charity as taught by his father Mormon (Moroni 7:1).

 

What do we learn from these family associations? That the testimony of righteous fathers could never be expunged from their sons' souls. There is one relationship that stands out the most in the Book of Mormon but this time it is the son-father relationship. Nobody has been a greater son to his father than Jesus, who fulfilled the will of the Father in all things (3 Nephi 1:14); the son who 'does always those things that please him" (John 8:29) and was consequently called by the Father "Well Beloved" (Helaman 5:47). During His visit to the Americas, according to my calculations, Jesus made 148 references to the Father. He came not only to affirm his divine Sonship but to teach the people to worship the Father. It is the Saviour's love for the Father, more than His love for us, that motivated Him to become the author of our salvation. He is the perfect son because of the perfect father. 

 

The men of the Book of Mormon leave me enthralled, the father-son relationships even more so for is there a more heart searing declaration than this: "I am Helaman, the son of Alma" (Alma 58:41)......except, there is this one: "I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (3 Nephi 9:15).

 

I wish to gift you my heart

Eternal Father of mine;

I wish to glorify Thy name

Through endless moments of time.

I wish to worship you each day that I greet,

I wish to honour you with each breath that I breathe.

Then one day soon when I kneel at your throne

And bring you my deeds from my earthly home;

Accept them with mercy,

Consider them bliss,

And greet me joyfully

With an holy kiss.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Danny Hahlbohm)