For me, the greatest lesson in here was of how Nephi dealt with the trial of the breaking of his steel bow (15-32). The words of Elder Marion D. Hanks really express my thoughts on this:“What to do? Nephi says he made a bow and an arrow out of some available wood, got a sling and stones and, ‘I said unto my Father, “Whither shall I go to obtain food?”’ It is a simple thing, isn’t it? . . . This means that Nephi went to his father and said, ‘Dad, the Lord has blessed you. You are his servant. I need to know where to go to get food. Dad, you ask him, will you?’ Oh, he could have gone to his own knees. He could have taken over.
“I count this one of the really significant lessons of life in the book, and, I repeat, the pages are full of them. A son who had strength enough, and humility enough, and manliness enough to go to his wavering superior and say, ‘You ask God, will you?’ because somehow he knew this is how you make men strong, that wise confidence in men builds them. Lehi asked God and God told him, and Lehi’s leadership was restored” (Steps to Learning, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [May 4, 1960], 7).
I'm blessed with a fantastic righteous priesthood holder for my father. He presides over the family. However, I have friends who lack such a figure in their homes. One person that I know had a dad who was a priesthood holder, but couldn't really exercise such a gift. In her teen years, she was searching for a church to attend and discovered The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She quickly decided that she wanted to become a member. After some trials and changes in her life, she was ready. But she wanted her dad to baptize her as she had discovered that he was once an active member. She asked her dad if he would baptize her. Such a request changed their lives. He was so honored by such a request, he was so moved, that he softened his heart and returned to the right path and was able to baptize his daughter.
It's a bit miraculous.
Another example was told by President Ezra Taft Benson:
“Some time ago, a young man came to my office requesting a blessing. He was about eighteen years of age and had some problems. There were no serious moral problems, but he was mixed up in his thinking and worried. He requested a blessing.
“I said to him, ‘Have you ever asked your father to give you a blessing? Your father is a member of the Church, I assume?’
“He said, ‘Yes, he is an elder, a rather inactive elder.’
“When I asked, ‘Do you love your father?’ he replied, ‘Yes, Brother Benson, he is a good man. I love him.’ He then said, ‘He doesn’t attend to his priesthood duties as he should. He doesn’t go to church regularly, I don’t know that he is a tithe payer, but he is a good man, a good provider, a kind man.’
“I said, ‘How would you like to talk to him at an opportune time and ask him if he would be willing to give you a father’s blessing?’
“ ‘Oh,’ he said, ‘I think that would frighten him.’
“I then said, ‘Are you willing to try it? I will be praying for you.’
“He said, ‘All right; on that basis, I will.’
“A few days later he came back. He said, ‘Brother Benson, that’s the sweetest thing that has happened in our family.’ He could hardly control his feelings as he told me what had happened. He said, ‘When the opportunity was right, I mentioned it to Father, and he replied, “Son, do you really want me to give you a blessing?” I told him, “Yes, Dad, I would like you to.” ’ Then he said, ‘Brother Benson, he gave me one of the most beautiful blessings you could ever ask for. Mother sat there crying all during the blessing. When he got through there was a bond of appreciation and gratitude and love between us that we have never had in our home’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 45–46; or Ensign, Nov. 1977, 31–32).
Each of our parents are only human and make mistakes in life. But families can always help in making each individual member stronger. Families are amazing that way. Make sure we each do our own part.
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