Family Discord

Ether 7

This entire chapter tells us of a few generations of children rebelling against the things they were taught by their fathers and siblings coming at odds with each other and their parents to the point that wars are fought and evil enters into the entire kingdom. What's the deal here? Why can't the children of God see that there are consequences to evil lifestyles? Why can't they see that discord in families is the beginning of that wickedness? Why can't they see that the end result will be death, destruction and the eventuality that they will lose their claim to any promise, i.e. freedom in living not to mention eternal promises?

It is not any different today. You can see how quickly a family is torn apart when just one sibling strikes out on their own. Sides are taken; discord seems to be the result. Why is that? Why can't a family live in peace even though one of its own is living a different lifestyle? The one who has struck out on a different path claims everyone is intolerant of anything they do that is contrary to how they have been taught. Those who stay the course are disappointed in the destructive lifestyle and lack of joy being found in the sibling who has withdrawn. There is serious chattering on both sides. In days of old, such as the Jaredites, this resulted in kingdoms being lost and in war. I can't draw a parallel today, but I still see the discord and the loss.

So how does this apply to me today. I have no choice but to continue to try and keep peace between my children and continue to have family gatherings even though. . . [sigh]