08 February 2014

A Few Fathers in the Scriptures*

*The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price; the Four Standard Works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Zebedee: (Matthew 4:19-20; Luke 5:10) He was the father of 2 apostles, James and John. 
Story: Zebedee and his sons were on a boat fixing nets. Christ approaches with their business partner, Peter and his brother Andrew. When Christ called them, they immediately left the ship and their father and the servants, and followed Him.” So Zebedee (I love saying that name) watched his sons leave the familybusiness.


Mormon: (The book of Mormon in The Book of Mormon). He is the father of the prophet Moroni. 
Story: Mormon was a general and prophet. He abridged a cavern full of records covering about1,000 years of historyHe also wrote an account of his own experiences and throughout the record there are his commentary and explanationsA very small part of the abridgment is The Book of Mormon. His people were at war approximately 60 years. When their enemies took over a city they would sacrifice the women and children to their idols. His people and army were victims of mass genocide, 100s of thousands. Only Mormon, Moroni and 24 others survived. Mormon mourned the loss of his people, he wrote, 
lds.org
And my soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried’O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss. O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen! But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.  
When Mormon died, he left Moroni to keep the abridgment safe from their enemies. He died knowing that his son was going to be a hunted man.



Zacharias (Luke 1) His son was John the Baptist.

Story: He was a very active member of the faith. He did not expect to be a father.  When finding out he would be, he doubted and his power to speak was taken away. Only after his silence proved to be a testimony to others was it restored. He knew the baby's name should be John and that he had a great work to do. To escape the mandated execution of baby and toddler boys, Elizabeth hid Zacrarias’ and her son in the wilderness. When the soldiers were searching out and killing, Zacrarias would not disclose John’s location.  Zacrarias was killed.  Interesting, Zacharias' silence  the forced upon experience bore witness of the power of God in giving Zacharias a son and his voluntary silence saved that son. 

The Father of Abish. He is not named. (Alma 19:16)
Story: Abish was converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ because of her father years before the missionaries were teaching in her city.  In fact, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the religion of her people’s enemies. Her people are describe as a,
wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering [Christians], and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands. Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers.
She did not disclose her testimony until it could have a positive impact.  Upon hearing the king had met with the missionaries, Abish ran from house to house and the people went to the king's home. Because of her father, Abish contributed greatly to an entire society's change.