6. Father

CHAPTER 6

FATHER

          “No appeal is sought, Alumon.  None will be necessary.”  Father uses his voice of authority, the one I sometimes hear when he counsels other adults; seldom at home.  He speaks in a way that shows his learning, his understanding and wisdom, his position among the people.  I am amazed by his ability to speak with conviction, power and courage, even in front of his enemies.

“I give up my position as chief judge for the people of Nephi.  This change is effective immediately.  I appoint Cezoram as the chief judge for this people in my place.”

          The gasps and hushed cries of surprise spread through the crowd, everyone staring at us.  When complete silence returns, Father continues to speak.

          “What are my reasons for this sudden announcement?  You are probably asking yourselves that question right now.  You probably think it is because I disagree with judge Alumon.  I do not!  The available testimony and evidence are too conflicting and inconclusive to convict in this matter.”

          Even greater cries of surprise ripple through the crowd.

          “See!  I told you so.”  Alumon’s voice is heard shouting above the noise.

          “But liars beware!  I believe in the eternal justice of God.”  The noise in the crowd vanishes in an instant.  “I believe in truth and honesty.  And I know that my son Timothy told the truth.

          “Therefore, I fear mightily that God’s wrath will ultimately come upon you, Tyreantum!  As well as you also, Alumon!  And upon the many others of you who conspire together to hide your sins, and your murders, and your evil-doings! 

          “The amount of corruption that has been allowed to enter into the government of this land has reached such a high level, polluting so much of our land that our freedom is in peril.  They who choose evil are more numerous than they who choose good.  Therefore, you are ripening for destruction!  Even the laws have become corrupted.  Yea, and this is not all; you have become a stiffnecked people.  You can not be governed by law nor by justice.  I am weary because of your iniquity.  I fear lest you shall be forever destroyed.  I intend to preach nothing but the word of God to you and to all this people all the remainder of my days.  That is why I give up my position as chief judge.  Repent and yet be saved!  That is your only hope for salvation.  Otherwise, the devil has claim on you, and in his chains, you shall burn eternally with him in hell!”  

Alumon and Tyreantum glance fearfully at father, then at each other. 

“Hello, son.  You made it.  Good!  You’ve been studying the new pillar ironically called GREAT MEN OF OUR NATION, I see.”

“What!?  Oh …. Father!!  It’s you!”

Nephi awoke from his bad memory and embraced his father with a grateful hug.  He is comforted by the warm spirit that comes with being united with his father.

A few moments passed before either one of them spoke.

His father was considerably taller than the average man, slim but not skinny, and still in fine shape and vigor for a person of middle age.  Except for a difference in ages, people might not be able to discern who was father and who was son.

Finally, the older Nephi looked his son in the eye and said, “Neffy, thank you for coming.  Obedient, as always.  … Are you all right?”

 

“I am.  Yes, yes.  I’m all right – now, with you.”

“Coming back in here sort of forces you to think about the past, doesn’t it?”

“That it does.  But…oh, father…just now.  Arumor saw me coming…and…”

“I know, Neffy.”

“You know?  What do you mean ‘you know’?  Did you see what happened?  Were you there?”

“No.  I was not there.  I did not see them.  You know, Lehi and I also once avoided being slain by angels.  We were cast into prison by the Lamanites, and after many days without food, they took us that they might slay us.  Then when we were encircled about as if by fire….”

“So you do know about the angels!!”

“You didn’t have to tell me for me to know.  I can see it in your eyes and I can feel it in your presence.  I have prayed mightily for a long time that you would be the one to take my place when I am gone.”

“That’s exactly what the angel said too.”  Nephi blushed.

For a while, neither father nor son knew what else to say aloud.  Their love for each other was greatly felt, even if unspoken.

“I wish I could chisel off the name of Alumon from this pillar and never see it again.”  Nephi attempted to break the silence with his father.

“Me, too!  It’s a farce isn’t it,” his father chuckled.

“That’s for sure!  It’s so different in here than it used to be.”

Both of them chuckled together.  No words could adequately capture the change in spirit, the different feelings they had now compared to back then.

“Father, what are we doing here?  Can you finally tell me now?  You promised you would.  Why did you want to meet me here?  This is no longer a good place for us to be.  I don’t like it here.  Are you positive there isn’t some other place we can go?”

“Thanks again for coming, Neffy.  I needed you to come.  I wish this were done someplace else too, but this is where the records are kept.”

“OK, but don’t you feel strange being here again after all these years?  Don’t you hate how everything is different now?  No more government, you said.  Remember?  I enjoyed being here with you so much when I was little, but now this place just reminds me that this is where mother was killed!  She died right over there!  Doesn’t that get to you like it does to me?”

“I know, I know.  I miss her dearly too.  You’re right.  Everything around here is different now.  Remembering her is certainly the most difficult of all.

“But we won’t need to be here much longer.  Let’s talk some more as soon as we leave.  You did remember to bring your personal seal with you, didn’t you, Neffy?  Let’s get this over with!”