I heard of a mom who was concerned about her teens’ phone usage.
She sat her teenagers down and told them something new they would try:
She would be setting time limits on certain apps on their phones.
One child in particular expressed some unhappiness about this new limit.
So the mom said that she would set the same exact time limits on the same apps on HER phone that she was requiring for them.
They would all be in this new challenge together.
And she would take the lead. ⠀
She was then shocked the next day when her “time limit” alert came much sooner than she expected.
She didn’t realize how much she probably needed the time limits, too.
What a beautiful example of a mother leading by example in her family.
She was then able to sympathize and work on her own habits, while setting an invaluable example for her teenagers. ⠀
Who partook of the fruit first in Lehi’s dream?
Lehi.⠀
This fruit “…was desirable above all other fruit.” (1 Nephi 8:12)
Lehi tasted of that happiness and joy first.
And THEN he desired that his family should partake of this same happiness.
I think the order of this is so important.
He tasted of this joyous fruit, STAYED by the tree, and beckoned his family members to come join him.
He didn’t tread through the mists of darkness, he didn’t search through the great and spacious building, he didn’t wade through the water.
He didn’t look at the tree from afar, hoping everyone else could get there but not making his own journey his top priority.
He stayed by the tree as an example for his family members to follow.
And many of them did follow him!
This is my passionate viewpoint for scripture study as well.
Are WE studying and learning and growing from the scriptures, tasting of that fulfilling JOY that comes from the Book of Mormon, and then beckoning our family members to come join us?
Or do we sometimes try to push our family members toward the scriptures and the tree while forgetting to stay by the sweet, pure, happy tree ourselves?
“Let’s stay at the tree, partake of the love of God, and share it. By lifting the people around us, we ascend together.” – Sister Runia Oct 2023
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
2 Responses
I am so grateful to you for sharing your insights of the scriptures. So many times I read your snippets and think,”I didn’t see that or I hadn’t thought of it that way.” Thank for taking all the time you do to share your inspiration.
I’m so glad you find them helpful! <3