The Greatest Joy of Parenthood

     In 1 Nephi 3:7 Nephi tells his father, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth."  That's a wonderfully awesome thing to say and we all think of Nephi and what he stood for. But let's look at another person who is very involved here. How many of you are parents? How would you feel to hear your son or daughter say this?  I know my heart would soar and, as all my family will tell you, I would start to cry - happy, joyful tears, of course. So you can relate with Lehi about what is said in verse 8 : "And it came to pass that when my father had heard these words he was exceedingly glad, for he knew that I had been blessed of the Lord." 

     I am sure Lehi felt as John in the New Testament when he said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that  my children walk in truth." (3 John 1:4) As parents we can relate to this so well. From the moment that baby is placed in our arms what is our every desire? With all our hearts we desire that little angel to grow and progress in every aspect of life. We desire good health, both physically and mentally, but even more we desire that they gain unshakeable testimonies of truth that will see them through this life and into the next, worthy to spend eternity with the Lord. What joy fills our hearts as we see that progress. Two incidents in scriptures come to mind in trying to describe that intense joy. Twice in the book of Mormon Alma does his best to share that feeling with us. First when he describes his joy to his friends and fellow missionaries, the sons of Mosiah: "Now when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy."(Alma 29:16) and again as he explains to his son, Helaman, how he felt after repenting: "And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing as exquisite and as bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy." (Alma 36:20-21) And how about Lehi's vision of the tree of life in 1 Nephi 8: 3, 10-17 and 37: "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. . . . And it came to pass that I beheld a tree whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.   . . . And it came  to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable about all other fruit. . . . And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit. . . . And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go. . . . And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. . . . And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also. . . . And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them. . . .  And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them."

     If we mortal parents can find such intense joy at the righteous choices of our childrem imagine the joy felt by our Eternal Heavenly Father when He sees each of us trying to live in accordance with His will. 

     Not only do I feel joy as my children choose to follow Christ, but other emotions add to it to make it complete. I feel relief that they will not suffer and struggle through so many of the earthly mucks and mires of sin that could so easily surround them if their choices had been  towards the wordly path. Perhaps some of that relief is gratitude that maybe I did do my part as a parent in teaching them correctly. And that gratitude is amplified in my heart as I see them make right choices. I know that not only will their choices bless them and their lives, but will bless and affect others also. And I am sure that our Heavenly Father feels that gratitude, relief, and joy as we live to add to His glory and happiness.

     It is my prayer that we will be able to share that joy with the Lord as we see our children progress in righteousness and may we have the courage and strength to bring joy to our Heavenly Father by the way we live as well.