Leo Tolstoy said that all happy families are alike. The Family Proclamation teaches that happy and successful families turn toward God, help family members change and grow, treat one another with kindness, and participate in meaningful activities together.
“Take Especial Care of Your Family”
God told Brigham Young to “take especial care of your family.” That counsel still stands today. President Dallin H. Oaks recently reminded us that family work, recreation, and learning are sacred priorities. When we turn off distractions, we will find sufficient time to fulfill our family responsibilities.
Patriarchal Blessings
Jacob and Lehi blessed their children near the end of their lives. Following in that tradition, modern patriarchs provide blessings which affirm recipients' inheritance of Abrahamic blessings and provide counsel and guidance specific to that individual. Patriarchal blessings are given by inspiration and should be read and interpreted with the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Of God / Of the Devil
How do we respond to other people's spiritual experiences? A trusted leader told Joseph Smith that his first vision was "of the devil." In contrast, his father told him his vision of the angel Moroni was "of God." The Spirit can help us avoid defensiveness and recognize truth.
Out of Captivity
Nephi prophesied that people in the Americas would be freed from captivity because they would humble themselves before God. Lehi and Moroni added that God intends for this land to be free and that we will retain our liberty if we follow Him.
“The Workings of the Spirit of the Lord”
Mormon explains the inclusion of the small plates by saying that he was following "the workings of the Spirit of the Lord." The Spirit helps us contribute to a work bigger than ourselves, and it simultaneously works within us to make us better.
Land of Promise, Land of Liberty
Lehi told his sons that their new land of promise was a land of liberty, and that they would be free as long as they remained righteous. Freedom doesn't mean absolution from accountability. It means autonomy within the constraints of the law.
Awake and Arise!
Lehi repeatedly admonished his sons to do three things: 1. Awake 2. Arise from the dust. 3. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound. We can follow his admonitions by being more aware and more engaged, and by letting go of unproductive activities.
Zoram
Zoram's life was disrupted instantly, in the middle of the night. To his credit, he adapted to his new circumstances and became a great friend to Nephi. When our circumstances change, we can follow Zoram's example of adaptability and resilience.
The Title Page and Nephi
Although Moroni wrote the Title Page of the Book of Mormon, he was heavily influenced by Nephi. In this post, I show many parallel phrases between the Title Page and Nephi's words. From start to end, the Book of Mormon has a consistent message and purpose