Honoring Parents

It is an interesting fact of life what happens to the children of the rising generation. If the parents do all they can and the children are receptive, they grow to outshine their parents in righteousness. If the parents fail in their responsibilities and the children are not corrected then they are cursed.

As we grow older, we grow in knowledge too. We see things in our parents that we couldn't see when younger. This does not give us the right to insult nor demean our parents. We must be respectful and give them honor. Our good points are in large measure due to their efforts and our flaws often our own.

While studying the writings of Nephi, I began to see this truth behind the ancient prophet's words. Lehi was a good and noble man; a prophet of God. Yet, as we watch the growth of Nephi during his trip from Jerusalem to the promised land we see his progression blossoming well past his righteous father. After Lehi dies, Nephi assumed the role of prophet and was able to lead, preach and defend his people.

But despite his spiritual ascension, Nephi speaks no ill of his father or mother. Only once does he mention Lehi complaining and again only once Sariah. He reveres his parents and defers to the words of his father often in the 1st book he writes. Nephi paints his father in such a wholesome light that what we are left with is a masterpiece example of honoring parents. In contrast we can look to the behavior of Laman and Lemuel to see an ugly portrait of insults and backbiting towards their father.

Naturally we will do better than our own parents if we try. That is life. We take the good things they gave us and add to them. But we will forever be indebted to them for every ounce of goodness and love they gave; perhaps even for the ill that caused us to grow and learn. It would not only be foolish, but contrary to the command of God to speak negatively concerning their manner of raising us. For the Lord has said "honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," (Mosiah 13:20).

By revering our parents for the growth they accomplished and for the strength they enabled within us we gain a foothold on the rocky trail of life and propel our generations further along. When the rising generation after us is grown, whatever progress we have obtained will be theirs and they will be even more righteous than we could ever hope to be in this life. Remembering that will empower us with the love and respect God demands of us for our earthly progenitors. We will know that we have been blessed infinitely by being raised in their homes and being taught in their ways for the Lord will use our experiences and acquired talents to bless the lives of many of his children.