Post by Helorum –
My father has again impressed upon us the importance of this record. The three of us, his sons, have been taught so well of the importance of becoming men of understanding, we consider it a great blessing to know the prophecies which have been spoken by our fathers. Being taught in their language, even that of the Egyptians, we are able to read and study their writings including the records engraven on the plates of brass. Without these records it would be impossible for our people to keep from falling into ignorance and fail to know the mysteries of God.
It has now been hundreds of years since the time Lehi and his family left Jerusalem. He taught his sons the language of the Egyptians, which language has been taught to us from generation to generation. I can’t claim to know Lehi personally but I am pretty sure there is no way he could have taught his children without the plates he took into the wilderness – and the same for all those even through today – including this record which has been kept by my ancestors. And then of course there is something to say about God’s wisdom and His commandments to keep, read and teach all of these things which have been kept and preserved by the His hand, that we may understand His mysteries and have His commandments present. Without all of this we too would have become like the Lamanites who know nothing concerning these things, nor believe them because of the incorrect traditions of their fathers.
So, with all that said, basically my father has repeated, often enough I feel comfortable quoting him,
“O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.”
We love our father and we don’t tire of his love and care in teaching us. He has taught us many more things I’m not including here. I hope to follow his example in many ways, but in that of teaching my sons as he has taught us, is one of the most important ways I will follow him.
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 1:1 – 8)
