Fathers from the Scriptures

As I think about Father's Day, I'm reminded of the all of the great fathers that are found in the scriptures. I was actually thinking about creating a longer blog on this, but then I heard an ad for a book called, "Men of Influence." I haven't read it, but it sounded like the author stole my idea. I might still write something more-in-depth though. Here are some of my favorite Fathers in the scriptures and what I learn from them:

Abraham: Trust your children to the Lord
Isaac: Find out the hearts of your children from your wife.
Jacob: Leave your In-laws for your family's sake. Don't pick favorites. Give your children and grandchildren blessings.
Saul: Look to the example of your righteous children and listen to them.

Lehi: Take your family where the Lord wants you to take them despite the family protests. Counsel each child according to their needs with love. At first they were subtle reminders. On his death bed it was, "Awake from the sleep of hell. Rise up and be men."
Nephi: Father of a nation-weeps for his people. Does our current father of the nation do that (I doubt it, maybe if his ratings go down).
Jacob: Teach your children in their youth and it will come back to them at unexpected times.
Benjamin: Teach and testify of the scriptures. Teach service by example.
Mosiah: Let your children go and they will be protected.
Alma the Elder: Pray and fast for your children. Teach your children despite their unwillingness.
Alma the younger: Take your children with you on mission (church duties) when appropriate. Counsel with them indivually based on their needs. Testify and tell them of your spiritual experiences.
Helaman I: Adopts 2,000 sons that he leads into war. Asks them for their advice before he proceeds.
Helaman II: Honor your name (surname, given name, or Christ's name). Remember what your ancestors went through and taught.
Mormon: Write to your children. Keep a record for your children. Correct incorrect doctrine or traditions even if it's not the popular thing to do. Another father of the nation who cares deeply about his people.

Well these are a few of my favorite father and son relationships in the scriptures. Unfortunately, I can't think of many examples from the Bible. It seems like of the Old Testament is about bad father examples. What are some of your favorite father examples from the scriptures? If you can't think of anyone from the scriptures, what are some prominent father figures that teach great lessons found in literature (or I'll even go with movies)? For example, one of my favorites is Atticus from "To Kill a Mocking Bird." Another is Jean Valjean from "Les Miserables."

Scripture Study Poems

I was driving home from Brigham early Sunday morning listening to some LDS church songs when the thought struck me that this might be a good way to improve my scripture study. I don't consider myself a great poet, but I thought that it might be beneficial to try to create a poem as I am reading my scriptures. Then, today, the thought struck me that I could post what I'm working on along with some of my other random thoughts on my blog. Just be aware that these poems are not going to be finished, nor will they most likely be magnificent pieces of work.

However, if you have any brilliant ideas or critiques of my poetry, feel free to make comments. Like I said, I'm not a great poet. The best poetry I came up with in high school was "I want to be a hermit, just like the muppet kermit." My creative writing teacher copied Vicini from "The Princess Bride" and said, "Stop this rhyming now, I mean it."

Today, I read about the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and five fishes in Luke Chapter 9. The sentence, "For we are here in a desert place." seemed to stick out to me. I wrote the following, but can't seem to get much farther today.

How shall we feed them?
We have not sufficient food.
For we are here in desert place.
We will perish if we stay..
Give what you have

I want to add something about how God, Christ, Faith. . . will provide the rest. I'm already concerned that "Give what you have" is too cliche ish. I'm also developing a second verse with a reference to possibly to Elijah's servant who sees the angels fighting their battle. Something like:
How shall we fight them?
We have not sufficient stregnth.
For we are here in surrounded place.
Wel will perish if we stay
Give what you have (whatever my chorus ends up being.)

On Monday, I came up with something a little better. I was reading about "Master the Tempest Raging." in Luke 8. It's not great, but I think I like the direction a little more than the one I came up with today.

Tossed on the waves,
I thought I would perish
So I cried unto my Lord
And there was a great calm

Covered in darkness,
Gloomy and threatening
I called for someone near
And there was a great calm

Fighting through the crowd
To touch just his garment
He turned and I saw my Savior
And there was a great calm