Another Prodigal Son Parable?
Most of President Packer’s recent General Conference address was comprised of scriptures from Alma 39-42, where Alma is counseling and teaching his son, Corianton. The somewhat unique style of his talk caught my attention, as did something President Packer said near the end:
“The account of this loving father and a wayward son, drawn from the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, is a type, a pattern, an example.”
I love a good discussion, and I love hearing other people’s thoughts and ideas. So I wanted to simply pose a question to you today. In what way do you see this story as “a type, a pattern, an example”?
President Packer gives an explanation when he says,
“Each of us has a loving Father in Heaven. Through the Father’s redeeming plan, those who may stumble and fall ‘are not cast off forever’ (Book of Mormon title page).”
Maybe it really is that simple. But I can’t help but wonder if President Packer is inviting us to dig a little deeper, to explore the type, pattern, and example in this story further. Might this be another parable of sorts for us to ponder and pick apart, to help us better understand the Atonement, a Father’s love, and the process and power of repentance?
What are your thoughts?
August 11th, 2006 05:43
I read the chapters last night. To me this is quite different from the prodigal son parable. When the prodigal son returns we hear of rings on fingers and feast. With Corianton we get a scolding and a lecture.
The second two chapters are great things. Communicating personal revelation regarding the atonement, particularly in regards to the resurrection. I especially like how Alma stresses that some of this is his opinions, and that there are gaps in what is known. Priceless!
But, it illustates a principle I think is important. If you want someone to change, you must change their testimony of the savior. That appears to be the approach of Alma.
August 11th, 2006 10:03
Eric, thanks for your comment. You are right — the stories are very different. I wondered even if that title was perhaps not quite what I wanted to use. But it was the “wayward son” aspect of Pres. Packer’s comment that caught my attention, so I went with it.
Corianton came back and was not forever lost, similar to the prodigal son. I’m sure both fathers feared their sons might be lost. Both sons “came back” (in different ways, to be sure). I think both were compelled to be humble. Alma had to help Corianton repent, while the prodigal son “came to himself.” In both stories, the father loved the son, and the son’s repentance was accepted. In both stories, too, there was a cost associated with their behavior — the prodigal son squandered his inheritance (and lost that time he was gone that could have been spent with the family) and Corianton brought “great iniquity” upon the Zoramites (they rejected the prophet’s words because of Corianton’s behavior).
I’m wondering what we can learn about Heavenly Father from this. Pres. Faust points out that the prodigal son lost his inheritance — that salvation could be his, but exaltation would not necessarily be a given. I wonder what Pres. Packer is trying to tell us with this story of Alma and Corianton. I think the message is that true repentance really can allow us to go back to Father. I dunno…I want to mull over it a little more.
August 11th, 2006 14:49
I think the message is that true repentance really can allow us to go back to Father.
I’m sure that is what it intended to teach. Here you have Alma, a man that had done his own part in hindering the work of the Lord. He has been there, done that, all of it and he greatly desired his son not to make those same mistakes. That is where the lecture comes from, his own experience. I would imagine that the time Alma spent in his private hell was getting a great lecture and seeing what harm he had caused. Now his son is doing the same thing in a different manner with the same effect of hardening hearts. I would think he had talked with his children about his life and his choices and hoped that they would never walk that path. We see a pattern of a son not doing what he is taught and a father praying for his son. Ultimately parents can only teach their children and pray they remember those teachings. One other thought is no matter what the sin is a parent will always love the child, the question is do we have enough courage to correct our children when they need it, or turn a blind eye and let them continue down that path?
August 11th, 2006 14:58
One other thought is no matter what the sin is a parent will always love the child, the question is do we have enough courage to correct our children when they need it, or turn a blind eye and let them continue down that path?
Good thought, Tanya. I find it interesting that in Al. 39:12, the Spirit says to Alma, “Command thy children to do good….” Alma uses that as a springboard to call his son to repentance. He also taught Him of the Atonement — exemplary teaching, I would say.
August 12th, 2006 07:16
Very interesting post and comments. Re Tanya’s comment quoted by Michelle (#4)I think that trying to follow the direction of the Spirit is the most important consideration for a parent. If a parent is directly inspired to issue commands, then he/she can take comfort in having obeyed the Lord, even if their children fail to respond positively. (I definitely don’t believe that Laman and Lemuel would have ultimately become faithful if Lehi and Nephi had just been more skilled in presenting the truth, more loving and compassionate, etc.)
However, I think that sometimes parents may be inspired to refrain from verbal commands to adult children who have wandered after having been taught the Gospel throughout their childhood. Often it seems that if the parents just continue to teach more by example than exhortation, extend love and support, and pray a lot, good things happen.
As Tayna put it, “We see a pattern of a son not doing what he is taught and a father praying for his son. Ultimately parents can only teach their children and pray they remember those teachings.”
As parents, we can also pray to know more precisely how the Lord would have us help each of our children find their way back to Him. Sometimes it may involve the courage to speak up, and sometimes it may require the courage to bite our tongues.
August 12th, 2006 11:10
RoAnn,
Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve been listening to a seminar given by a man who talks about ways to become more spiritually centered. One of the things he talks about is that as parents, the best thing we can do as parents if focus on having the Spirit with us so we can know we are on the path. That seems obvious, but the way he describes it makes me think that too often, I’m more worried about my children’s behavior than about my own heart. I think there needs to be a balance (after all, we can’t just do nothing as parents), but I am intrigued by this idea nonetheless. As I focus on my own spirituality, assuredly, my parenting will become more in line with the Spirit’s guidance (I’m still a ways from that state on a consistent basis == too often I parent from the hip, in the moment and not enough with the Spirit.) (And I know I don’t bite my tongue enough!) He also shares those well-known quotes about the power of parents’ sealings in helping bring children home eventually. I don’t know exactly how that all works, but those are compelling promises, and motivators to do all I can to stay on the path myself as a parent.
I really need the reminder, too, of what Tanya said (and RoAnn brought out again): that one of the best things I can do as a parent is pray for my children. Thanks for those reminders, friends!