Lehi the Parent

“And now I, Nephi, do not make a full account of the things which my father had written for he hath written many things which he saw in visions and in dreams. And he also hath written many things which he prophesied and spake unto his children, of which I shall not make a full account...”

What is the primary obligation of a parent to their child? After unconditional love, and basic providence of food, shelter and clothing, what is the most important thing a father and mother can do for their offspring?

Is it helping them to get their “Duty to God” award? Achieve the Eagle Scout award? Encouraging them to serve a mission? Or perhaps helping them fulfill an inhumane schedule of endless activities and projects so that they can build a resume that will get them into BYU? Some would argue that it’s all these things, and that these pursuits are worthy goals to ultimately encourage your children to stay on the “covenant path”.

Maybe they are. But sometimes awards, diplomas and a constant preoccupation with improving our personal and family socioeconomic status (in the world and in the church) … sometimes all those things blend into a huge lifelong distraction. A distraction from a living relationship that is far more important and valuable than anything this world can offer.

“From this we can see that the whole human family, in the early age of their existence, in all their different branches, had this knowledge (a knowledge of the existence of God) disseminated among them; so that the existence of God became an object of faith, in the early age of the world. And the evidences which these men had of the existence of a God, was the testimony of their fathers in the first instance.
 The reason why we have been thus particular on this part of our subject, is, that this class may see by what means it was that God became an object of faith among men after the fall; and what it was that stirred up the faith of multitudes to feel after him; to search after a knowledge of his character, perfections and attributes, until they became extensively acquainted with him; and not only commune with him, and behold his glory, but be partakers of his power, and stand in his presence. 
Let this class mark particularly that the testimony which these men had of the existence of a God, was the testimony of man; for previous to the time that any of Adam's posterity had obtained a manifestation of God to themselves, Adam their common father had testified unto them of the existence of God, and of his eternal power and Godhead.” (Lectures on Faith, Lecture 2).

(The Lectures on Faith used to be included in our scriptures. They were partially written and fully edited by Joseph. They were voted into our canon by the membership of the church in the 1830’s. Why and when they were removed is a topic for another day.)

I am of the opinion that our primary focus and objective should be:
1. To know the Lord Jesus personally, face to face. (This is a giant idea, that encompasses many other ideas)
2. To teach our children to do the same, and once the path is known, to show them and testify of that path.
3. To compile and leave a record, documenting that path and journey. I’m not talking about a diary or a just a journal. I’m talking about your own book of scripture; the things which you have “seen and heard which the Lord hath shown you”. Your own map that documents your journey into the Lord’s presence. Initially it is for your immediate offspring. But because there is a high statistical probability that your own children just won’t “get it”, the record survives and becomes an immortal invitation to your echoing posterity to come unto Christ. This at least seems to be the pattern.

It’s just an opinion.