How fast can a generation lose their faith?
King Benjamin had taught the people and their parents had brought their children to “General Conference” to hear a prophet of God. Everything seemed to be going well for the church. But as they grew up, the children in the church “did not believe the traditions of there fathers” and “many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin … because of there unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened .” But beyond that, they worked to influence the others in their church congregations and “they did deceive many with their flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins”
In looking at this tragedy, we ask why?
How did this happen so fast?
Who was influencing these children and youth?
Who taught them to not to believe?
The record doesn’t explain if the parents did or didn’t transfer the prophets teaching to the children. It doesn’t shed light into the state of the society at the time. But regardless, the result was swift: they turned away from the church toward sin and became hardened and persecuted faithful, believing members.
Surely this broke the heart of the parents who love the prophet and believed his words. They likely followed the council of The Family Proclamation: “Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness.” No doubt they would have been concerned that “Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”
But righteous intentional parents who taught the gospel in the home can (and must) have hope. Through temple covenants wayward children & parents are bound together in ways we mortals cannot imagine.
Alma had to work mightily to reclaim & restore the damage and eventually, there was peace in the land for a season. This may be the case in our family. It may take an extraordinary effort to reclaim our children but make no mistake: God is a God of miracles. Everything IS possible because of Him.