The Lord speaks to Lehi in a dream and instructs him to take his family and "depart into the wilderness". v.3 "And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him."
I think it's important to point out the word "obedient"... if you've read The Book of Mormon before, you already know the result of Lehi's obedience. But think back - if Lehi hadn't obeyed the Lord's instructions, (or recognized his dream as instructions from the Lord) what blessings may have been lost. I suspect that the Lord would have chosen another to complete his work - but fortunately, we will never know because Lehi did obey. Good Job, Lehi!
v.4 "And it came to pass that ahe *departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness."
Lehi leaves the "land of his inheritance"! He leaves his gold, silver and his precious things! Lehi was a wealthy man, and he gives it up to follow the Lord's instructions. This reminds me of the scriptures where the young man does many good things, but is unwilling to part with his possessions... (Matthew 19: 16-22)... only the opposite.
Would I be willing to follow Lehi's example and part with all of my possessions and be obedient?
v.9-14 Lehi expresses his desires to Laman and Lemuel that they would be firm, steadfast, and "continually running into the fountain of all righteousness. " (Every parents wish.) Laman and Lemuel are notorious "murmurers". They constantly complain. They don't get it. ("they cknew not the dealings of that God who had dcreated them"). Why is that? How could the children of the prophet not know the dealings of God?
What am I doing, as a mother, to help my own children know the dealings of God? Am I sharing spiritual experiences with them? Am I studying the scriptures with them? Am I teaching them how to have their own personal relationship with their Heavenly Father and their Savior? What are some other things we can do as mothers?
v.16-29 Teaches us more about Nephi's character
- He had a great desire to to know of the mysteries of God. (v.16)
- He believed all the words which had been spoken by his father (v.16)
- He was "grieved because of the hardness of [Laman and Lemuels] hearts"
- He "cried unto the Lord" on behalf of his brothers. (v.18)
- The Lord spoke to him. (v.19)
- He had faith and sought the Lord diligently. (v.19)
v. 20-24 Are promises that the Lord makes to Nephi
- And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall aprosper, and shall be led to a bland of promise (v.20)
- And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be acut off from the presence of the Lord. (v.21)
- And inasmuch as thou shalt keep my commandments, thou shalt be made a aruler and a teacher over thy brethren. (v.22)
- In that day that they shall arebel against me, I will bcurse them even with a sore curse, and they shall have no power over thy seed except they shall crebel against me also. (v.23)
- If it so be that they rebel against me, they shall be a ascourge unto thy seed, to bstir them up in the ways of remembrance. (v.24)
Posts
2 comments:
Great post! I especially liked how you outlined the promises that were made to Nephi, since these are some of the same blessings that we can also have if we follow the Lord like Nephi. . .and we can know that eventually, no matter what, if we remain steadfast, the Lord will help us prevail.
Loved this post Alicia- especially how you askedvprovokinh questions in application to our lives as mothers. Thanks!
Post a Comment