The Stripling Fathers

Today is Father’s Day. It reminds me of what it means to be a dad, and what I can offer my children and posterity. Caring mothers and fathers seem to possess complementary gifts that come together to bring out their children’s best. Mothers traditionally have been recognized as nurturers, while fathers have assumed the role of supporters and breadwinners. The Book of Mormon is filled with similar loving examples of parents who tenderly supplicated for their children’s welfare and safety: Lehi, Sariah, Nephi, Alma, Jacob and many others. One particular story that is often overlooked is of the fathers of the 2000 stripling warriors. Much attention is rightly given to their nurturing mothers, who taught the boys to never doubt because “their mothers knew it.” But what of the fathers? How agonizing it must have been, due to their self-imposed restriction to never lift a weapon again, to stand back powerless and watch their sons march off to war to defend their people. But a pearl of interest later in the story shows the tenderness of these fathers towards their sons, and a supportive manner in which they were able to assist them. 

 Alma 56:6 And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood.
 8 But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken.
 
 Alma 56:27 And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.
 29 And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.

LESSON LEARNED: Fathers have a quiet and supportive way to bless and nurture their children. It is often unheralded compared to a mother’s role, but equally important and caring.

FEEDBACK: WHAT EXPERIENCES OF SUPPORT HAVE YOU RECOGNIZED IN YOUR OWN FATHER?