TURNING THE HEARTS OF OUR CHILDREN
Walking around cemeteries has become a cherished thing we do as a family. The Spirit is overwhelmingly strong and the peace found there fills you up and stays long after. Our favorite part is the names on the headstones. While walking through we try to read everyone that catches our eye–a lot of times we’ll stop and talk about a name we saw that may have been unusual or even one that is common, and why they may have been named that. Sometimes we’ll discuss the special engravings or pictures on the headstones and wonder what their story was. These conversations are absolutely priceless.
The importance of teaching the following generation about our forefathers and mothers and their mission that we’re to carry on–is not lost on me.
A wise friend once stated, “As long as you wander, you are lost and ineffective. Darwinian Evolution is the perfect counterfeit—teaching that we are evolving as a society. That the ancients were primitive, and that we need to move on. Instead, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about going BACK to the fathers because they knew the way to God, and only by looking back can we build a better future.”
This is shown and proven time and time again in the Scriptures. Helaman is an amazing example of a father who knew the seriousness of getting his sons Nephi and Lehi to look back at the ones they were to pattern themselves after.
“Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.
7 Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.” (Helaman 5)
In one verse alone the word ‘remember’ is repeated 5 times! Imagine what kind of future generations we’d have if parents took the time to turn their children’s hearts to their fathers through something as simple as a name.
Enos goes to hunt beasts in the forests and he writes how “the words which I had often heard my father speak sunk deep into my heart.” My favorite part of this story is when he explains how his soul just hungered for repentance, he hungered for that cleansing and purification of the soul. All this followed after a turning of his heart to his fathers. Imagine what kind of repentance could come from a turning of our hearts to our fathers?
I haven’t fully figured it out yet, but I have learned that a name is more important than realized, and if you dig deep enough it outlines an important mission. Turning our hearts to the fathers and mothers that paved the way–their stories, their names, their mission. It’s our story, and our mission–if we have the eyes to see and the faith to choose to continue it. Is your heart sealed? Do you know where you belong? Do you know the meaning of your name? Do you know the stories and teachings of the fathers and mothers of the scriptures? Of the Restoration? Or are you still wandering? Just some thoughts I’ve been pondering.
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