Seed

When Lehi studied the brass plates and learned more about his family history, his thoughts immediately turned to future generations:

He was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophecy concerning his seed—

That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed.

1 Nephi 5:17

His increased awareness of prior generations had expanded his perspective on future generations. He saw beyond his immediate family to their children, grandchildren, and even nations among his descendants, a remarkable breadth of vision considering their current humble and homeless circumstances.

Shortly after, he sent his sons back to Jerusalem to invite Ishmael’s family to join them. Why Ishmael? Because he had daughters. The Lord instructed Lehi “that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise” (1 Nephi 7:1). Revelation often comes in response to our questions, and it seems likely that Lehi’s focus on his posterity invited this important instruction from the Lord.

Next came his dream of the tree of life. “I have dreamed a dream,” he tells the family, “…and behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved” (1 Nephi 8:3). There’s no mention in the dream, at least in Nephi’s retelling of it, about their descendants. It is about Lehi and his immediate family, surrounded by “numerous concourses” of unnamed people. (See 1 Nephi 8:21.) But the vision which Nephi saw when he prayed to understand his father’s dream includes expansive views of later generations. (See 1 Nephi 11-14.) Clearly, a major focus of this dream, from both Lehi’s and Nephi’s perspective, was the effect of their current decisions on future generations.

It’s easy to imagine Lehi’s focus pivoting because of his stage of life. As a father of four adult sons, it was natural for him to think about his legacy. But Nephi begins thinking about his seed even earlier in the narrative. Soon after leaving Jerusalem, Nephi receives promises from God including one about his posterity: “Thy brethren…shall have no power over thy seed except they shall rebel against me also. And if it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in the ways of remembrance” (1 Nephi 2:22-24). A remarkable promise to an young, unmarried man!

In my uncle’s hymn, “Turn Your Hearts,” the third verse focuses on family history—”generations gone before.” But the final verse challenges us to look to the future:

Turn in love to all your children—
Generations yet to be.
May your deeds of gospel giving,
Temple service, righteous living,
Bless them all eternally.

“Turn Your Hearts,” Hymns, 291

Elder David A. Bednar taught:

As a link in the chain of your generations, you should recognize that the decisions you make now and in the future are not just about you. Your decisions affect both those who have gone before and those who come after you. The example and influence of your obedience to gospel principles, the power of your personal righteousness, and the consequences of the decisions you make for good or bad will extend across the generations. Please be a strong link in the chain of your generations.

“A Welding Link,” Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults, September 10, 2017, Apex North Carolina Stake Center

Today I will follow Lehi’s example of concern for my family, both current and future. I will remember that my decisions today have an impact on future generations, and I will strive to act in a way that blesses them.