Post by Heloram –
Obviously I have known my father my whole life and therefore I have seen every side of him. Yes, he is a great king, yes he was a mighty warrior and certainly one of the greatest leaders this people has ever known, (and a kind father) but I still stand amazed when I see him in total humility plead for the people to come to Christ. He has never bossed us around, he has never been a dictatorial type leader, he has always – even as my father – tried to teach, encourage and motivate with love and total dedication to our welfare. So when he began his sermon from the tower, we all got to see the real man I grew up with. As I tell you about his sermon, let me quote him directly from time to time. This is one of those times – so you get a feel for his meekness.
“My brethren that have assembled yourselves together, open your ears that you may hear, and your hearts that you may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.
I have not commanded you to come up here that you should fear me, or that you should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man. But I am just like you, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind; yet I have been chosen by this people, and consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people; and have been kept and preserved by His matchless power, to serve you with all the might, mind and strength which the Lord has granted to me.
I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you; Neither have I suffered that you should be confined in dungeons, nor that you should make slaves one of another, nor that you should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery; nor even have I suffered that you should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that you should keep the commandments of the Lord, in all things which He has commanded you— And even I, myself, have labored with my own hands that I might serve you, and that you should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, you yourselves are witnesses this day.
Yet, my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that you may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day. Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.”
What’s actually remarkable is that these are not just words – he really feels this way. If he weren’t the king or hadn’t been anointed by God to lead this people – he would still serve them with all his heart, quietly and lovingly. Our happiness is actually his objective. The fact that he pointed out the way he has served our people was sincerely his way of encouraging each of us to serve in like manner. If he hadn’t actually lived his whole life in the service of the people and the service of God, you could think he was boasting. My life’s goal is to learn to serve so selflessly.
I love my father.
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 2:9 – 16)
