Many years ago, on the eve of getting married and starting a family of my own, I asked my father to give me a father’s blessing. He fasted and prayed and then bestowed upon me a wonderful blessing of personal encouragement and counsel, somewhat in the spirit of Lehi’s famous dream. At the conclusion of the blessing, he stated something that can be readily shared with others because of its universal application: “And now my beloved son as you journey forth into the uncertain world, reach up your hands to the lap of God. And if you will do this He will lead you, He will guide you, save and exalt you in the Eternal Worlds.”
This image of reaching up one’s hands to the lap of God has a story behind it that may encourage other fathers who receive a request for a father’s blessing. In a conversation with my father contemporaneous with the bestowal of the blessing, which he had written down and memorized before giving, he told me that my request to receive this blessing had caused him much concern and effort. He wanted to be in tune with the Spirit to carry out this task well. In praying about it one night, he saw in his mind the image of a child kneeling before God and reaching his hands up to the lap of God in humility and devotion, as if to seek guidance and support. This image was then carried into the blessing as the seal of counsel. I have pondered countless times over the years how well this image reflects a true spirit of meekness and humility so essential to devoted discipleship.
Often truth is conveyed more readily in the form of imagery or stories with symbolic power. Just as the prophet Lehi received wisdom from on high in the form of a panoramic vision intended for the blessing of all mankind, so my own father received inspiration to give counsel to his own son in a unique and effective way. Similarly, fathers and mothers can tell uplifting stories to their children and grandchildren. As they seek inspiration from on high, they will find the most effective imagery for expressing true principles in a way that the rising generation will understand and use more readily in making choices that bless and enlighten. (Richard J. Allen)