Day 13 - To Be a Goodly Parent - by Randall McNeely

In 1 Nephi 1:1, Nephi shares that he was “born of goodly parents.” This phrase has always been of interest to me and caused me to ask, “what does it mean to be a goodly parent?”  
 
Nephi’s father Lehi gives us what could be called “The Goodly Parent Formula,” (TGPF).
 

• Learn the gospel
• Live the gospel
• Teach the gospel
• Keep the gospel

 
Lehi fully lived the formula.
 
First, Lehi continually studied the scriptures, lived worthily so he could receive personal revelation and be taught from on high, and recorded what he learned so he could teach it to his family and his people.
 
Second, Lehi became an agent who acts by applying the things he learned in his own life. In doing so he experienced great joy and happiness.
 
Third, once filled with the joy of gospel living, Lehi taught his family the words of the prophets and invited them to follow them that they might receive the same joy.  He set the example for his children through his own obedience to the prophets and by going forth to teach their prophetic words to His people.
 
Finally, by teaching the gospel to his family and others, Lehi showed the way for them to keep the gospel alive and active in their lives.
 
We to can follow the TGPF. We can become goodly parents by learning the gospel, living the gospel, and teaching the gospel and thereby showing the way to keep the gospel alive and active in our lives.  As we do so, our lives will be filled with joy and we will become instruments in God’s hands to help our family, and many others within our sphere of influence, to have the same experience.  
 
And that my friends, will be truly…
 
WONDERFUL!

Author

Randall McNeely is husband, father of five, and a committed disciple of Jesus Christ.