A parent's words can have a lasting influence. What messages do [these verses] have for parents and for children?.
Enos writes, "Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul ... (Enos 1:3-4).
As we think about "the words which I had often heard my father speak ..." being what brought Enos to his knees, what can we do so that our words can continue to reflect eternal life and the joy of the saints to those we love?
In this article, Bruce and Marie Hafen share some experiences they had with their teen-aged son who, like Enos, went to his own "forests" to sort out some of his own questions about his faith, his mission, and his future. There he felt a closeness to his grandfather whose journal he had been reading, and felt his influence. His grandfather's words, along with the words of his father, caused his "soul to hunger." He received and followed direction for his life, as his heart turned to his fathers.
Brother Hafen writes, "Having watched this kind of relationship develop between my father and my son, all because of an honest personal journal, I have no doubt that Elijah planted in [his] heart the same promises the Lord had planted in my father's heart—and in my own. There really is a bond and a sense of belonging across the generations on both sides of the veil."
The activities featured below in the Words of Mormon section will help you find ways for your words and those of your ancestors to influence living family members and generations to come.
Words of Mormon
From Come, Follow Me :
"Words of Mormon serves as a bridge between the two sets of plates that make up the Book of Mormon. Here Mormon gives an explanation of these two records, and his words teach an important message about trusting the Lord, even when we don't fully understand His direction."
As Nephi was writing the record of his people, God directed him to create two sets of plates, called the small plates and the large plates of Nephi. Nephi didn't know why he was commanded to create two sets of plates, but he trusted that the Lord had "a wise purpose ..., which purpose I know not" (1 Nephi 9:5; see also A Brief Explanation about the Book of Mormon)
Nephi was commanded to create two sets of records, and Lehi was also keeping a record (1 Nephi 1:17). These plates were kept and passed down from father to son or from brother to brother from the time of Lehi until Amaleki passed them on to King Benjamin.
Nephi passed the plates to Jacob with "a commandment that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious ... and that I should preserve these plates and hand them down unto my seed ... (Jacob 1:3-4) Jacob tells his son Enos, "Take these plates. And I told him the things which my brother Nephi had commanded me, and he promised obedience unto the commands." (Jacob 7:27) Jarom writes, "Now, behold, I Jarom, write a few words according to the commandment of my father, Enos, that our genealogy may be kept." (Jarom 1:1) He then passes the plates to his son Omni, "that they may be kept according to the commandments of my fathers." (Jarom 1:15)
Omni writes he was "commanded by my father, Jarom, that I should write somewhat upon these plates, to preserve our genealogy" and that he "had kept these plates according to the commandments of my fathers; and I conferred them upon my son Amaron" (Omni 1:1,3). This record continues to be passed to brother to son and to son and then to king Benjamin.
Each keeper of the record was commanded to keep, preserve, and pass down the records, thus influencing for good all those who sincerely study the Book of Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints goes to great lengths to protect the records it maintains. In 1965 the Granite Mountain Records Vault was built to preserve and protect important family history and historical records.
"Today, the records of the Church are organized, managed, and preserved according to the highest standards. The records are created in local Church units and then stored in the Church History Library in Salt Lake City or in one of the Church's more than two dozen record preservation centers all around the world. These special facilities are designed to preserve and protect records against loss, theft, fire, earthquakes, and extreme climate conditions. Some of the records are created on paper, but most now begin as digital files or information stored in electronic databases." (The Sacred Duty of Record Keeping)
We have been asked to keep and preserve records of and for our own families.
"That which I do not in some way record will be lost at my death, and that which I do not pass on to my posterity, they will never have. The work of gathering and sharing eternal family keepsakes is a personal responsibility. It cannot be passed off or given to another ... Family history and temple work are the eternal family keepsakes that build bridges. They build bridges between the generations of our families, bridges to activity in the Church, and bridges to the temple." "Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes, Dennis B. Neuenschwander
Gather Records
First, gather records of your family and ancestors. Scan or make paper copies of each item. Original documents then need to be protected and preserved.
Gather together important records such as vital and religious records, and legal documents. List missing records and get replacements. (See
Gather Family Information)
Gather photos of your ancestors and the stories behind them, making note of the date, place, event by writing or audio recording. Continue on to preserve them (see the next activity).
Plan Some Preservation Parties
Working together as family members can be fun, even though it may take longer as you reminisce. Turn on some music, bring out the boxes, and get on with the exciting task of preservation! Here are some helps:
"I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel." President Nelson, October 2019 General Conference
As April General Conference quickly approaches, review suggested preparations from our prophet. Make plans to be prepared.
Read afresh Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.
How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?
With the Book of Mormon videos now becoming available, you may wish to incorporate them in your individual and family study.
Select your own questions.
Design your own plan.
Immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration. As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable.
Your Personal History
Write one personal history story as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson. By the end of the year, you will have 50 stories to preserve on FamilySearch memories (try audio-recording). For example:
How has keeping personal and/or family records blessed your life?
Write about any experiences helping others find and take names to the temple.
Write about a time when you were inspired by the records kept by your ancestors.
Write about a time when you knew Heavenly Father heard and answered your prayer.
