Doctrine and Covenants 107 links priesthood authority with family lineage, listing ten generations from Adam to Noah and identifying the age of ordination for each. These ten generations correspond with the genealogy in Genesis 5, which gives us two additional dates: the age of each father when the son was born, and the age of each person when he died. Combining these sets of dates, we can visualize how much they overlapped with each other and where their ordination dates fall in their lifespan:
A few observations on this chart:
- We don’t know when Adam was ordained, but he must have received the priesthood directly from God.
- Every one of his descendants on this chart received the priesthood directly from Adam except Lamech and Noah. Lamech received it from Seth, and Noah received it from his grandfather, Methuselah (Doctrine and Covenants 107:52).
- There is a tremendous variety in age of ordination. Noah was only ten, and Enoch was only 25. On the other end of the spectrum, Mahaleel was 496! His son, grandson, and great-grandson were all ordained before him, which raises the question: What prevented him from receiving the priesthood earlier, and what prompted him to receive it then?
As I’ve pondered these verses, I’ve had the following insight: Each one of these men eventually had a spiritual awakening which led them to draw closer to God by receiving His authority. For some of them, this awakening came early, for others later, but it came for them all. They all received and exercised priesthood authority eventually.
This insight gives me comfort. We are all on different spiritual timelines. For some reason, our lifespans are a lot shorter than theirs were, but we also know that our opportunities for growth and for accepting God’s grace do not end at death. I imagine our spiritual timelines extending into the spiritual world, and I imagine multiple diamonds, each representing a spiritual awakening leading us closer to God.
The Book of Mormon contains accounts of people who received the grace of Christ at various ages:
- Mormon was fifteen years old when he “was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus” (Mormon 1:15).
- Nephi was “exceedingly young” when the Lord visited him and softened his heart (1 Nephi 2:16).
- Enos, Alma, and the sons of Mosiah were all apparently young adults when they received a remission of their sins. (See Enos 1:3-6, Mosiah 27:8-18.)
- Alma’s father was also “a young man” when he was converted by the preaching of Abinadi (See Mosiah 17:2-4.)
- Zeezrom and Amulek were both likely middle-aged, established in their communities and careers when they were converted. (See Alma 10:2-11, 31.)
- Lamoni’s father was likely quite a bit older when he was converted by the preaching of Aaron. He was ruler over multiple kingdoms, including the one ruled by Lamoni. (See Alma 20:8; 22:1-18.)
The composite message of these stories is simple: There is no prescribed time to find God. We all travel distinct paths in life, motivated by our unique personalities and experiences. Some of us turn to God early, some later. We can all afford to be patient and hopeful with our loved ones who seem distant from God. Like Mahaleel or Lamoni’s father, their time may come later. Don’t give up on them, and don’t compare them with others who found faith at an earlier age.
Today, I will be patient with myself and with others as we travel our unique spiritual journeys. I will remember that spiritual awakenings come at different times and in different ways, and I will strive to encourage and support those I love through every phase of their lives.
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