Waiting For The Prodigal

I love what we learn from the prophet Lehi about how we should care for and treat those who will not partake of the fruit of the gospel with us. Nephi 8 says that Lehi showed tender feelings to these unbelieving sons. Following this he preached unto them and then he did what a member of the seventy recently told us we should do with our unbelieving loved ones....just as Jesus taught  in the story of the prodigal son....Elder Nielsen states in his talk " Waiting For The Prodigal" : "Through the parable, what does the Savior teach us about how to respond when a family member loses his or her way? The prodigal son informs his father that he wants his inheritance now. He wants to leave the safety of his home and family and seek after worldly pursuits (see Luke 15:12–13). Please note that in the Savior’s parable the father lovingly responds by giving the son his inheritance. Certainly the father must have done everything he could to convince the son to stay. However, once the adult son makes his choice, the wise father lets him go. The father then demonstrates sincere love, and he watches and he waits (see Luke 15:20)."  1 Nephi 8  "And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. 38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them."  I hope that I can follow this example... I know that the Lord has never stopped loving me, although He has watched and waited...He is always so patient with me, and I desire to follow His example. I do not want to take the mercy and blessings of having His ways recorded in the scriptures for granted...I love Him so very much. I Love the gospel that He has given me...I desire to show Him how thankful that I am.