TRADITIONS OF THE FATHERS

Traditions are powerful things. The Nephites held traditions and had artifacts handed down for generations.  These traditions were founded in their belief in God and their testimony that He would send His Son.  Even before the signs announcing the birth of Jesus Christ, the Nephites looked forward to His arrival.  They understood that His atonement is infinite and that they were covered by this atonement even before He was sacrificed upon the cross. Their traditions were held with passion passed on by their fathers, but each individual in each generation could gain a testimony of Christ and His gospel through personal revelation from the Holy Ghost. Those who sought and gained such a testimony were able to hold firm in adversity and blessing.  Those who did not - whatever their reason - were blown about, like chaff in the wind, with every whim of man and cunning plan of the Adversary.

The Lamanites also had traditions handed down by their fathers, all the way back to Laman and Lemuel. Unlike their brethren, the Nephites, their passion and tradition were not founded in the Holy Spirit, but were flames that were fanned by anger, hatred, and vengeance sought. Because of the motivating power of these traditions, they always looked upon the Nephites as usurpers and thieves, children of a traitor who robbed them of their wealth and their birthright to rule. In Zeniff's over-zealousness, he overlooked these strongly held beliefs.  Had he not, he would have known that he could not reason with the Lamanite king.

Here is a link from Book of Mormon Central which illustrates this point:

Why are the Lamanites constantly at war with the Nephites?

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Let's liken: I often get frustrated with people whose political views seem diametrically opposed to mine. I'd want to reply to their Facebook posts, "What on earth are you thinking?!" I finally realized that I could not have a positive impact on them with a negative attack.  It would be like trying to reason with a person who had a lifelong prejudice against a certain group of people. I remember the first time I watched the movie Ghosts of Mississippi. I not only felt anger at Byron De La Beckwith, I also struggled with feelings about James Woods, the actor who portrayed him. What a start I received when I realized how irrational that was. Prejudice itself is irrational and one cannot deal rationally with irrational people.

Why do people get these strongly held but destructive attitudes such as prejudice, hatred, and vengeance? Are they, like the Lamanites, tainted by the traditions of their fathers? That is a question asked by the French planter, Emile, of Joe Cable, U.S. Marine, stationed in the South Pacific.  This song was ahead of its time in 1949 when the musical debuted on Broadway and even in 1959 when the movie was released. How does one get twisted thinking like prejudice? 

You've Got to Be Taught (South Pacific)

The Nephites repeatedly tried to reach out to the Lamanites with predictable results because they led with arguments based in their traditions, not taking into account the traditions of the Lamanites. It wasn't until the Sons of Mosiah taught the Lamanites by loving them and serving them and exemplifying their faith in Jesus Christ that Lamanite hearts were softened.  As the people were converted to the gospel, they saw the falseness of their own traditions of hatred and vengeance, and buried their weapons of war lest they be tempted to take another life.

There is a lesson here for us.  Bear your testimony. Live your testimony. Don't get drawn into either arguments or contracts.  Only love and the gospel of Jesus Christ can change the world.

© Dr. Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson May 2020