It may sound a little strange, but I actually do.
I really like interesting and powerful people and trying to understand what is behind their *greatness*
Abraham was one of the greatest to have ever lived.
I read this scripture the other day. I don't ever remember really understanding this verse before, but the other day...all the dots started crossing....and it-made-sense! {my own thoughts are in red}
Abraham 1:2 "And, finding there was greater ahappiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, [Abraham's fathers were Adam, Seth, Moses,etc] and the right [the priesthood] whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same [ to have the sealing power] having been myself a follower of brighteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great cknowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many dnations
["That blessing only comes to those who have a temple sealing and marriage. You cannot be a father of many nations without a wife that you are sealed to. He could not hold the right belonging to the fathers without a wife who had the rights belonging to the mothers."Julie Beck , Teaching the Doctrine of the Family]a prince of peace, and edesiring to receive instructions,[temples] and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a fHigh Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers."[the sealing power that binds families together forever]
This is getting kind of deep, stay with me for a minute....You cannot be "a father of many nations" without a righteous wife who also wants those blessings-who seeks for the blessings that Eve wanted, the formation of an eternal family.
Without the family, there is no plan and there is no purpose.
Elder Robert D. Hales said this about marriage:“The family is not an accident of mortality. It existed as an organizational unit in the heavens before the world was formed; historically, it started on earth with Adam and Eve, as recorded in Genesis. Adam and Eve were married and sealed for time and all eternity by the Lord, and as a result their family will exist eternally”
Interesting fact: Abraham had two sons literally, but only one son, Isaac, that had the birthright to the "blessing of Abraham" Ishmael was the son of Abraham's servant/wife, Hagar, and there is no birthright blessing attached to him.
I wonder if Abraham layed in bed at night and wondered 'how am I supposed to be "the father of many nations with only one son??
Because Isaac had the birthright, how important was his choice of wife?
It was VITAL
In essence, isn't that what we should all desire?
I love the story of Isaac and Rebekah.
Isaac sent his servant to go, with the help of the Lord and find his wife. His servant went with prayer and saught the Spirit in helping him to recognize who she was. When he recognized her as "the one", she also must have felt that this was her call, because she willingly went.
Rebekah was blessed by her brothers and father, to be the mother of "thousands of millions" (see Genesis 24 )
I think to my own life, and realize these are the blessing I have always saught for. This is all I have ever wanted-a righteous eternal family. I had 8 children because I wanted what Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah wanted. I have always dreamed of having a large righteous posterity.
Becoming a mother has been the best decision I have ever made besides of coarse...
who I married.