"These are my days." (Helaman 7:9)

In many ways today is more complex than the days of Joseph Smith, or even of our grandparents. This complexity is related to modes of transportation, communication, shifting values, role re-definition, the internet, and many other things. These things have made our society more complex than the family oriented, farm-based economy of “yesteryear.” A similar thing happens in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon starts out with one family, then two opposing families as the Nephites and Lamanites split up. This is the basis of their civilization from 1 Nephi through Alma. Then as we get into Helaman, many of the familiar things change and elements are introduced into their lives and into the story that make it more complex. For example in Helaman 3:3-16 we read how transportation, communication, knowledge, free interaction, and other things changed their society from what it was. Verse 23 reminds us that the Gadianton robbers, though currently unseen, are lurking nearby. In Hel 3:24-26 thousands join the Church, but by Hel 4:1 many have dissented from the Church, and in the heading of Helaman 6 we have a complete switch and the Lamanites are sending missionaries to the Nephites. Nephi turns his attention to missionary work but has no success among the hardened discenters of his day and laments, "Oh, that I could have had my days" in the days of Nephi (Helaman 7:7), but then says with resolve, "But ... these are my days" (Helaman 7:9).

Ferris Naef, former President of the Pasco Stake, told us once that he wondered why there had to be such great wickedness in the last days and was taught by the Spirit that there needed to be great wickedness and opposition in the last days so that those who were trying to be good could develop the faith and righteousness they needed to prepare themselves and their families for the Savior’s Second Coming. President Eyring said at this last conference that we were prepared for eternal life by our challenges. He said, "It is clear that for us to have that gift [eternal life] and to be given that trust, we must be transformed through making righteous choices where that is hard to do." He said we need to gain an essential education that "can come only as we are subject to trials while serving God and others for Him" (May 2009 Ensign).

This morning I was impressed by some verses from these chapters in Helaman that show how one righteous father prepared his sons to serve God in this challenging time (that parallels our own). Helaman 3:21 relates that Helaman had two sons whom he named Nephi and Lehi, then explains, "And they began to grow up unto the Lord." What did Helaman teach his sons that would help them grow up unto the Lord? Helaman chapter 5 recounts some of his teachings to them. He taught them to remember their names, to do good works, to lay up treasures in heaven, and about the atoning power of the Savior. He taught them with testimony and with conviction when he said, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind ... it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

There isn't anything we can do for our children that is more important than this--to help them begin to grow up unto the Lord; to help them build their foundation on Christ who is the Rock of their Redeemer.

Love, Dad