The Instruction of Fathers

On great theme that runs through the Book of Mormon is the responsibility of fathers to teach their sons the gospel.  There are numerous accounts of the influence of righteous fathers on their sons that I believe are meant to inspire us in our relationships with our children.  Here are a few examples. 

When Enos went into the woods to hunt beasts, he recounted that “the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart” (Enos 1:3).  It was primarily the teaching of his earthly father that brought him to seek his Father in Heaven.  King Benjamin also showed the importance of teaching children.  We of course remember him because of his great sermon to all of the people, but before he did that he first ensured that his own children were properly taught.  “He caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding….  And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass” (Mosiah 1:2-3).  After Mormon told us a few of the things that King Benjamin taught his sons, he said, “And many more things did king Benjamin teach his sons,” (Mosiah 1:8).  Surely Mosiah’s success as a Nephite leader was in large part due to the great example and teaching of his father King Benjamin.  Another who had enormous impact on his son was Alma.  When Alma the Younger finally recognized his sins and was in great torment, his way of escape came because of what he remembered his father teaching him: “Behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophecy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world” (Alma 36:17).  Later in his own life Alma the Younger would spend much time teaching his sons Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton, and I believe he had a particularly powerful impact on the life of Corianton.  Likely due in large part to his father’s care and instruction, Corianton was able to repent of grievous sins and become a great missionary.  Another important example is that of the teaching of Helaman to his two sons Nephi and Lehi.  He taught them concerning Christ and building on his foundation, and we know that “he did teach them many things which are not written….  And they did remember his words” (Helaman 5:13).  These two were incredible missionaries to the Lamanites and I have to think that it was in large measure due to the instruction from their father.  These examples and others point to the incredible power that fathers have to steer their children in the right course and lead them on the path of salvation.