Families in the Scriptures

As I think about the scriptures, I’m impressed that there is more emphasis on families than we might realize.  The first book of the Old Testament is one long story about a family, with the first family of Adam and Eve and their children taking their place prominently at the very beginning.  We read about real families all throughout the history of the Israelite people from the book of Judges through 2^nd Kings, with examples such as Samson and Delilah, Hannah and Samuel, King David and his sons, and many others.  The writings of the prophets in the latter part of the Old Testament don’t focus as much on families, but the book ends with an emphatic declaration that the hearts of the fathers must turn to their children and vice versa or the earth will be wasted.  The New Testament picks up immediately with stories about families.  We read of Mary and Joseph as well as Elizabeth and Zacharias.  As Christ performed his ministry he blessed families such as that of Jarius whose daughter He raised, the widow of Nain whose son He healed, and of course Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus whom He brought back to life.  The Book of Mormon likewise begins with the great saga of a family whose problems and struggles are immediately presented to us.  While we probably have the most detail about Lehi’s family, we read of others throughout the book such as Mosiah and his four sons, Alma the Elder and his wayward son, and in turn that wayward son’s dealing with his own three sons Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton.  When Christ came He gave great focused to the children and helped parents to turn their hearts to their children.  The Book of Mormon ends with the sad story of Mormon and his son Moroni, and despite the horrible situation of the Nephites we still see the great love between this father and son.  I could continue discussing the families of the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants.  Families are all over the scriptures and the Lord’s commandment to read the scriptures surely is at least in part meant to help us study the lives of real people who sought like us to live the principles of the gospel in their families.