Challenge to read the Book of Mormon

About a year ago I was called to be in the Stake Relief Society Presidency as the Secretary. I have loved the calling so much and have had such a great experience so far. A few weeks ago, our Stake President, President Wensel, asked the High Council and the Stake Auxiliaries to read the Book of Mormon 3 times this year. The first time being "just read the story" and circle anything that stands out to you. The second time to read and underline all of God's dealings with man. The third time, underline what applies to us and liken them unto us. As I have been reading I have come to have a different understanding of Lehi. What a wonderful man, father, husband, and prophet he was. One scripture stood out to me while reading and its in 1 Nephi 8:37. This chapter is about Lehi's vision of the tree of life. "And he [Lehi] 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". Lehi has had it rough with Lamen and Lemuel. As a parent, it is hard to constantly have your children nag, or complain, or murmur, or go against your words and knowledge and constantly be unhappy. This is how his two sons were. Yet, even though he saw that they wandered in his vision, he did exhort them with all the feelings of a tender parent to hearken to his words. As I have thought about my parenting, I can sure use a little more Lehi attitude in our home. When teaching our kids and trying to help them become the best sons and daughters of God, the best way to do this is with love and being a tender parent. No matter how difficult our kids are or seem to be, this is the best way to get to them. I was talking to Alex about this and I told him I feel like he and I are Lehi, and Jane is like Nephi, always kind and sweet and willing to obey our council and words, and then there is Ali. Who seems like she has both Lamen and Lemuel combined into her tiny little 2 year old body! Yes she is hard, and yes it is difficult to be happy all the time, but I have found that when I am a little more tender and have more love in my heart when I'm talking, disciplining, teaching, that she does much better. It is hard in today's society to be 100% happy. Satan is working ever so hard to do anything to keep us from being happy. Even to the point of guilting us into seeming like we are horrible parents because today we yelled or lost our temper or our kids aren't perfect all the time. That is where he gets me the most. But we have to look at it in a way that Christ would look at our situation. Ask "But what have I done good". 

As I have thought about this particular verse, I'm reminded of my Father (Ralph Brooks). He has always expressed his council to us with all the feelings of a tender parent. I have never, ever heard him raise his voice nor has he ever had body language that would make me afraid of him or ever put us down when we did something wrong. He quietly talked to us and we just knew, we did wrong and knew we didn't want to hurt him again nor see him sad for whatever mistake we happened to make. I hope to be just like my father and Lehi someday. I'm working on it daily and constantly praying and just doing my best. But I love reading the scriptures. They bring light into my life and always seem to give me the answers I need in that moment. The gospel is so true and I love it!!