My responsibility both directions

3 Nephi 25-26

Jesus makes it quite clear that the generations need to be connected. In chapter 26 he expounds from the beginning to the end and Babes and children utter marvelous things – so much so that they cannot be written. The people of the church (which I assume is everyone there at this point), have all things in common. In other words, they are living the law of consecration.

Oh how I would love to see how this all worked. In Ch 25 v 1 Christ mentions that the proud and they who do wickedly will burn as stubble and be left without root or branch. What does that mean exactly? Well, if I was without root, would I not be without ancestors? If I was without branch, that would obviously be without children. But you can't say I don't have parents. I was born. You can't say I don't have children, because I do. It must mean that when I leave this earthly existence, that I will be alone somehow. I will be without those who mean the very most to me – my family! When we turn our backs on the teachings of the gospel, we are walking away from our family into a world where we will really be alone. As silly as this sounds, there's going to be a whole lot of company in that aloneness.

Then Jesus tells them (Ch. 25) that Elijah will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers, “lest I come and smite the earth with a curse”. What would that curse be? Just that – being without family. Not valuing family – going it alone. I wrote in the margin of my scriptures at some point that neglecting FHE (Family Home Evening) is as serious as neglecting to do genealogy. How so? Because if we do not teach these things to our children, they will not learn the gravity of living righteous lives, thinking they can do as they please without effect. I cannot think of much worse than being alone in a sea of others who are alone.

It's almost not fair to have read two chapters, because Chapter 26 is also full of good stuff. Can you imagine being in a gathering where little babes are speaking? It definitely gives credence to the book I read recently “Trailing Clouds of Glory”. I've taken a little flack on this book when I've talked about it to some family members. “Little children don't talk” they say. Well, they can. They have, and I have no doubt that they still do at times.

So how does this apply to me? What do I need to change or improve upon? Oh how I pray my temple attendance counts as genealogy. I need to index more. I need to fight harder for those of my children who struggle with their testimonies. How exactly can I do that? My days of actually teaching them are over. They wouldn't listen if I tried. All I can do is set a righteous example. Be happy. I know from experience that happiness is quite elusive when we are not living righteous lives. Conversely, happiness is a byproduct of every day when I am living the principles of the gospel and serving as I have been asked. Yes, service is a major part of the gospel. In it we find the joy that cannot be found in any other way. I have got to pick the pace up in that department. There is always room for improvement. Makes me tired to think about it.