EVERLASTING FATHERHOOD

I had barely filed the Thought I wrote last week when my mind started to transfer to this week’s Thought. I understood I would be leaving the writings of Nephi in his first book and moving to his record in 2 Nephi. I was also aware that the first three chapters of his second book contained the events and blessings of his father Lehi’s last days of mortality.

During the week my mind wandered in many directions, but as Wednesday, which is my Thought writing day arrived in real time, I was taken in the direction which follows.

If Lehi had really perished by going the way of all the world his last days on earth would probably have included any or all of the following activities:

Very little movement with an anticipation of basic needs being provided by others.

Desiring visitations from family and friends armed with stories of his wondrous deeds.

Hoping that his passing would come peacefully in the night.

I am pretty sure this small example of comments is sufficient to remind us that most of us do not go peacefully into the night but tend to spend our last days filled with me, me, me assumptions.

While contemplating this Thought I was stricken with the need to address myself to the practicing of the principles of fatherhood, rather than fatherhood itself since the involvement we have in this arena during mortality has such a variance of father-ness.

Pondering upon Nephi’s memorial writings about his father Lehi leaves us with little doubt that Lehi understood and was committed to the following principles about Fatherhood:

Practicing the principles of fatherhood during his life was a paramount purpose of his mortal probationary period.

Of all the callings and professions he would be involved in during mortality, the only one which was also an apprenticeship for his eternal work and glory was fatherhood.

He understood the reason learning and practicing the principles of fatherhood are such an important part of the mortal probationary period is because if we are to become perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect, our movement toward perfection must include eventual perfection as fathers.

He understood the more he was able to move toward inculcating true principles of fatherhood as part of his being during mortality the higher would be his starting point during his next phase of progression.

During the week as I have pondered upon the characteristics, attributes and perfections of our Eternal Farther of which I currently have a brief understanding, I have come up with this partial list:

Our Eternal Father in Heaven has declared His purpose to be to bring to pass the eternal life and immortality of his children.

Our Eternal Father in Heaven never limits the opportunity He gives His children to turn from their selfish choices and move toward returning home with honor.

Our Eternal Father in Heaven is aware and anxious to bestow greater light and understanding as we make our small progressive steps.

Our Eternal Father in Heaven sends us comfort, peace and assurance through His Holy Spirit to justify our small sanctification steps.

Our Eternal Father in Heaven blesses us with prophets who have lived righteously so that the veil has become sufficiently thin to allow continual revelatory instruction.

Our Eternal Father in Heaven is anxiously awaiting our petitions for personal instruction on the steps needed for our continual progression.

Our Eternal Father in Heaven is always present awaiting our invitation to be encircled in His love.

Although the list is short and incomplete it has at least given me the opportunity before bidding adieu to father Lehi to think and ponder the wonderful opportunity our Father in Heaven has given us all to have a glimpse of His Majesty and what significance that understanding has for the eternal us.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY