Mosiah 19 'the men...left their wives and children and they fled'

As I continue to search the Book of Mormon for principles and doctrines that will help me be a better husband and father, Chapter 19 of Mosiah stands out to me.  This chapter tells the account of King Noah commanding the men to leave their wives and their children and flee from the Lamanite armies who are coming to destroy them.  There are three types of men in this account, with respect to how they value and regard their responsibilities to their wives and children.  The King and his priests flee their responsibilities, looking after only themselves, and leaving their families to fend for themselves when it comes to those trying to destroy them.  They never turn back.  The second group, for various reasons I'm sure, listened to King Noah when he told them to leave their families.  They also fled and looked after their own needs, but this group had a change of heart, and turned back, determined to rescue their families or perish trying to do so.  The third group had their hearts and priorities straight from the beginning.  They never let their fear or self interest dictate.  They stood strong to attempt to protect their families from evil.

As I read this chapter, I considered whether sometimes I am tempted to flee and leave my family to fend for themselves against the evils of our day.  I realized that when I let work, hobbies, laziness, ect. take priority over my responsibilities to stand with my family against the forces that would break us apart, I am fleeing like these first two groups.  When I spend time with my family, strengthen relationships, have fun, study and share the gospel, serve, etc., I am helping to protect them against the evil.  I want to become better so that I never flee.  But as I work toward this, I must strive to catch myself and turn back quickly when I realize I have fled.  Those who stayed, or turned back, were able to save their families and their relationships.  It took great cost to do this, one half of what they possessed.  It was obviously worth any cost to them.  If my family is my highest priority, it should also be worth any cost I need to pay to stand with them and help protect them from the evils they face.  The King and his priests who left and did not return to stand with their families in their time of need never did regain those relationships (see Ch 20:3).