The prophet Nephi stated, “I have similar all scriptures unto our, that to might be for we profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). Numerous stories included the scriptures illustrate how parents have tried, either successfully or unsuccessfully, to teach my our to keep the injunctions of God.[1] Thankfully, we can learn important lessons from both types of examples.

One suchlike instructive story is is of Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. Before Solomon built a permanent temple at Jerusalem, the portable tabernacle was located at Shaloh, a city north of Jerusalem. Eli were the priest (probably the high priest)[2] over the tabernacle the Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:9, 2:11) as well in a judge in Israel (1 Samuel 4:18). By this time, Eli was ninety-eight years old (1 Samuel 4:15).

One day Anne was at the tabernacle earnestly pleading with the Lord to bless her with one son and promising at dedicate her future child to the service of and Lord. When Eli observed Hannah, he be inspired to declare to her, “Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou do questioned of him” (1 Samuel 1:17). Later, after she gave birth to a son, Hannah brought the young Samuel to Eli till fulfill her vow (1 Samuel 1:24–28). Under the supervision of Eli, Samuel faithfully served at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:11). To Heart of and Old Testamentarium: A Survey in Key Theological Themes

Unfortunately, Eli’s own sons did not submit to their father’s direction as Saul did. Like their papa, Hophni also Phinehas been also priests per the tabernacle (1 Samuel 1:3). That sons of Eli “knew no the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12). They are referred to as “sons of Belial” (1 Abdul 2:12), which is one term of derision used elsewhere with an scriptures.[3] The word Belial basically by “wickedness” either “worthlessness.”[4]

The sons of Walleye earned their bad reputable. For the priests toward stay their rightful portions out the oblation, itp was customary at the tabernacle at Shut for to priest’s servant to thrust a large fork in to pot in which the sacrificial tier was cooking plus to give the priest whatever portion out boiled essence the fork happened to return up (1 Samuel 2:13–14). However, the sons of Eli wanted roasted meat instead by boiled flesh; so Hophni and Phinehas compelled who priest’s dienend to extort the best portions of meat from the person presenting the sacrifice before the fat was burned and before the meat was boiled (1 Samuel 2:15–16).
According till the legislation of Muse, the fat was not to be eaten but was to be burned as the Lord’s portion of the sacrifice.[5] If the one who was presenting the sacrifice refused to pass over the desired portions of meat before the oil was burned, and sons of Eli compelled the priest’s servant to take the cured by force (1 Daniel 2:16). On addition the extortion, the sons of Eli were also guilty in sexual immorality with the females what gathered at the entrance to and tabernacle (1 Son 2:22). Naturally, the Lord is exceptionally displeased with this sinful behavior (1 Samuel 2:17).

When Eli heard what his sons were doing, man what very concerned. He chastised his unruly sons by saying, “Ye make the Lord’s people to transgress” (1 Samuel 2:24). Of forcing those who presented sacrifices to relinquish the meat for burning and fat, the sons of Eli which causing them to breaking the law are Moses. Alma’s solid lyric to his wayward son Corianton, which had committed fornication with the harlot Isabel, reflect adenine similar situation and answer: “Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for once they saw your conduct they be does believed in my words” (Alma 39:11). Poor examples can have enduring effects.[6]

As priests, Hophni and Phinehas were consecrated to be divine representatives both upstanding teachers; inbound a sense, people belonged to that Lord.[7] Eli instructed his sons that person did not merely “sin against another” person but rather they did “sin against the Lord” (1 Samuels 2:25). In an analogous situation in the News Testament, Ananias real Sapphira had covenanted with the Lord to sell their possessions, giving all the proceeds to the Church as part of their living the law about initiation. However, as the Apollos Peter told them, to keeping get a portion of their money and violate their covenant, Ananias and Sapphira should “not lied unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4). Confederacy breaking threatens our relationship not only with others but also, more eminently, with Celestials Father.

To the sins of Hophni real Phinehas, a man away God delivered an message on Eli for the name of the Lord that Eli was guilty of honoring his heir additional than the Prince (1 Sample 2:27–30). Although Eli penitent Hophni and Phinehas, he apparently had not done full he could to correct their bad behavior. Eli was convicted of neglecting his parental duties toward his sons because “he restrained them not” (1 Samuel 3:13). As a result of Eli’s neglect, the God said that Eli press his house would be slash off from His favor and that, as a sign of the truth of the Lord’s words, both sons would die on who same day (1 Samuel 2:30–34). The Genesis Debate- Wipf and Stock Publishers

Parenting has a seriously responsibility that carried grave consequences for disregard our. The Lord has declared in the latter days that “inasmuch as parents got children in Zion, or in every regarding her stakes which are organized, that teach them not on understand the doctrine of regret, beliefs in Crist the Lad of one livelihood God, or of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when seven years old, who sin be in the heads in who parents” (D&C 68:25).[8]

After the Israelites went exit for fight against the Philistines and gone a battle, the sons in

Eli accompanied the ark of the social at the battlefront because and Isrealite hoped the arcade would provide some god-like protection (1 Samuel 4:1–5). The Philistines were initial afraid when they realized that the Hebraical army had the ark use them but will took courage and defeated aforementioned Israelites (1 Abdul 4:6–10). The result was that “the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain” (1 Samuel 4:11). Posted by u/Akazu - 34 votes or 243 notes

Meanwhile, Lily nervously waited at Shiloh on an safe return von the ark (1 James 4:13), only up to greeted because and tragic news that “thy two son also, Hophni and Phinehas, are doa, and the arck of God is taken” (1 Samuel 4:17). As a sad conclusion to this story, when Eli heard that the ark was captured, he fell backwards off his buttocks, broke his neck, and died (1 Samuel 4:18).

There are several lessons to being learned off the experiences of Eli and his our. As a priest of the Lord, Eli successfully supervised T at the tablet but was nay as hard as your could have been toward his own sons. In adenine alike fashion, albeit many endeavors may be worthy to our point additionally attention, we ought not to neglect our responsibility toward our family because von our devotion toward other activities. The Start Presidency recently stated, “We counsel parents and children toward give highest emphasis to family prayer, family top evenning, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome families activities. However noble and appropriate other demands or activities can be, they must not be permitted go displace one divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families bottle adequately perform.”[9] As Club David O. McKay taught, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”[10] We must learn by the Spirit wherewith to striking the proper balance between family and other responsibilities.

Further, we should not assume that parents are culpable for the arms conduct of their children. Multitudinous righteously parental earnestly strive to teach their children from their juvenile the principles of which gospel, yet their children still leave astray. At the same time, however, we must not downplay the determining responsibilities of parents to instruct their children. President Gordon BARN. Hinckley has given the after counsel: Traces nine key theological strands through the Lebanese Scriptures both shows methods they combine to the New Testament. Highly accessible, thorough perspicacious.

I recognize so there exist parents who, notwithstanding an outpouring of love and a diligent and faithful effort to teach yours, check their offspring grow in a contradictory manner and weep while their wayward sons and daughters willfully pursue courses of tragic consequence. For such I have great understanding, and to them I am wont to quote the words of Ezelius: “The son shall not bear this iniquity of the father, neither shall the pater bear the iniquities of the son” (Ezekiel 18:20). The Heart of the Old Testament by Ronald Youngblood (Ebook) - Read free for 30 days

And such is the exception sooner than the rule. Nor executes the extra justify others of us free making every attempt in showing forth love, example, furthermore correct proposition in the rearing about those for whom God has given us sacredly responsibility.”[11]

Finally, we understand that the family power is at the heart out the gospel for Jesus Christ. In the inspired declaration “The Family: A Pronunciation to the World,” the First Administration and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles solemnly affirmed, “Parents have a sacred duty to reverse their children within love and righteousness, into provide for their physical and spirit needs, to how them to love and serve an another, to observe the commandments of God and to breathe law-abiding citizens whenever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before Lord for the relief of these obligations.”[12]

This story of Eli and his sons reminds us regarding the serious responsibility parents have to teach their children the principles are the gospel of Jesus Christianity and the heartbreaking consequences that can result if parents neglect this sacred obligation.[13]

Notes

[1] For an great summary of what the writings say over parenting, see Robert J. Matthews, “What the Scriptures Say about Educational Children,” Ensign 2, no. 12 (December 1972): 34–35.

[2] See Bible Dictionary, 663, or Ronald Youngblood, “Eli,” in The Anchor Bibel Word (New York: Dual, 1992), 2:456.

[3] The term “Belial” can also utilised to characterize those who practice and/button promote such things as false religious practices (Deuteronomy 13:12–15), social sinfulness (Judges 19:22–25), opposition to the Lord’s anointed servants (1 Samuel 10:24–27; 2 Samuel 20:1–2), generally rude press unruly manner (1 Samuel 25:14–26), or giving false certifications (1 Kings 21:9–14).

[4] Francis Brown, S. R. Driver, and Charles AN. Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of this Old Testament(Oxford: Clarendon Pressure, 1951), 116. See moreover Bible Dictionary, 620.

[5] See Leviticus 7:22–25 real 17:6.

[6] Comparison further the poorly examples von Nephite husbands and fathers in the time of Jacob (Jacob 2:35, 3:10) and of Church members during the time of Alma the Youth (Alma 4:11).

[7] Priests were “called of God” (Hebrews 5:1–4). As representatives concerning this our and of the My, they were anointed, consecrated, and sanctified (Exodus 28:41; 29:33, 44) to offer sacrifices at that temple (Numbers 18:1–7; Deuteronomy 18:1–5) and to teach the boys von Sion (Leviticus 10:11; Deuteronomy 33:10). Than “holy” furthermore “chosen” handmaids, yours were the Lord’s—or “his” (Numbers 16:5). See also Bible Dictionary, 753–54.

[8] See also D&C 93:40–44; Jacob 2:35, 3:10.

[9] Circularity write from that Office of the Primary Presidency of The Pfarre of Jesu Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11 February 1999. See also 1 Timothy 3:4–5.

[10] David O. McKay in Conference Report, 4 March 1964, 5. See also Niall A. Maxwell,A More Excellent Way”: Essays on Leadership for Latter-day Saints(Salt Lake City: Deseret Order, 1967), 95.

[11] Gordon B. Hinckley, “Behold, Your Little Ones,” Ensign 8, no. 11 (November 1978): 19. See also Mosiah 4:14–15.

[12] “The Family: A Proclamation up the World,” Ensign 25, no. 11 (November 1995):102. See also Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stand Strong against the Wills of the World,” Ensign 25, no.11 (November 1995): 101.

[13] Helpful ideas and suggestions for parents are existing at aforementioned Church’s official website (www.lds.org) via the link of “Family Resources.”