Jarom in the Book of Mormon

I was reading in my scriptures tonight (don't be impressed--I made a new goal to not miss a day between now and baby B's arrival and tonight is the second night)-and read Jarom. I didn't realize until tonight that Jarom is basically all about parenting in the latter-days. You scripture geniuses probably already noticed that, but it took me a little longer.

So verse 7 says that the Lamanites come against the Nephites to battle/skirmish constantly, but due to the faith of the kings and leaders and the way those leaders taught the people the Lamanites were never successful. So, note to parents. It is our faith and how we teach our children that will determine how much access to our homes we give the adversary.

Then verse 8 says that "we multiplied exceedingly." Pretty much sums up what's going on in our house.

Verse 8 also talks about the weapons of war the Nephites gathered and/or made. We have our weapons of war also--Family Home Evening, scripture study, family prayer, yada yada-you know all this stuff. The basics.

I also like that verse 8 says they became "exceedingly rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things . . .." It hasn't happened yet, but a girl can hope. There's this Nativity I saw . . ..

Verse 9 says that because they (the Nephites) were prepared, the Lamanites lost. Repeatedly. That's how I want my house to be--so firm in the faith that Satan loses his hold against us. Repeatedly.

Verse 11 gives a nice summary of what these great teachers and leaders were teaching. Guess what it was: 1) diligence, 2) the law of Moses (I am going to sub in the Gospel for that one), 3) look toward the Messiah and believe in Him. And how did the teachers teach--with long-suffering. I don't know about you, but if I stop reading a story in the Friend to expound a little, it takes much long-suffering on my part to ignore the look of long-suffering on Miriam's face. I love morning devotional!! :)

The best verse though is verse 13 that reads: "And it came to pass that two hundred and thirty and eight years had passed away--after the manner of wars, and contentions, and dissensions, for the space of much of the time." Sounds like my house; if you substitute 7 years for 238 years. That long-suffering thing again.