Laman and Lemuel

This week I have discovered that I am more like Laman and Lemuel than I care to admit. They are very fair weather. When things go their way or when they are after something they want then they are willing to believe, but when things go bad they complain. After all, they are only human, right?
Starting in Chapter 4 the brothers are commanded to return to Jerusalem. First, they need to return for the plates. Laman and Lemuel complain and complain about this assignment. Even after they arrive in Jerusalem to follow the commands of the Lord, they can't see how it is possible.
Let's skip on to Chapter 7. The brothers are again commanded to return to Jerusalem. You would think that Laman and Lemuel would start complaining again. I mean, their first trip to Jerusalem was quite dangerous. However, circumstances are different this time. They are not returning for some old writings. . . no, this time they are returning to get wives for themselves. They follow happily. It's kind of comical.
The other interesting part of this chapter is when Laman and Lemuel decide that they don't really want to leave Jerusalem. Nephi tells them "Now behold, I say unto you that if ye will return unto Jerusalem ye shall also perish with them, And now, if ye have choice, go up to the land, and remember the words which I speak unto you, that if ye go ye will also perish; for thus the Spirit of the Lord constraineth me that I should speak."

Here, Laman and Lemuel have the choice. They can return to Jerusalem. But, Nephi tells them that they will be destroyed with the rest of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Although, initially, they fight against Nephi, in the end we see that they return to the tent of their father.

1Nephi 3 and 4

Chapter 3 is the famous chapter in which Nephi says "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
In contrast, Laman and Lemuel murmur "How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?"
The question I found myself thinking about is "How is it possible?" Obviously, if we have the faith the the Savior Jesus Christ has infinite power then it is possible. Then our actions should be in line with our faith in that principle. We have to believe that the answers to our insurmountable problems are there even though we may not see them or have access to them.

1 Nephi 2

This chapter has always been easy for me to relate to because in this chapter Lehi is commanded by the Lord to take his family and leave Jerusalem. They are commanded to go into the wilderness . . . the wilderness. It is a place I feel like Nathan and I have been for years now. The comfort comes from this passage "Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commmandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise;yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.
Nate has been in school for . . . awhile. That is our wilderness. But, I have always known that we were making the journey to reach our promised land.

The verse "And my father dwelt in a tent" is also in this chapter. We always laughed at that verse growing up. But, cross references show it actually has deep meaning.
Did he sleep there? Was the tent his space? I don't know, probably. However, I think that perhaps he communed with God in his tent. In Genesis Abram builds an altar near his tent. It wouldn't surprise me if Lehi had an altar near his tent. Verse 7 even tells us that he built an altar and offered sacrifices. Perhaps that little verse is there to remind us we are not to forget God during our journey in the wilderness. .. and we can't forget to give thanks for our blessings. Lastly, it is necessary to offer up sacrifices as we journey in the wilderness. Sacrifice brings greater blessings.

Trying Again.

I had to give a talk yesterday in church. I was assigned to talk about coming unto Christ. As I prepared, I felt like the best way that I could begin to come unto Christ was simply to make a true effort to study the scriptures daily. A while back I tried started a little blog where I could ponder and write down what I learned from my scripture study. I didn't stick with it. So, I am going to try again.

We know we are supposed to liken the scriptures to ourselves, so i am going to try to do that everyday.

1 Nephi 1

Right off Nephi explains that he is making this record because he has a "great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God" and he testifies "that the record which I make is true". I have always believed in keeping a journal. The older I get the more important it becomes. Journaling is the only way that things will be remembered about my family. I can't even remember things that happened a few years ago. I am really thankful I kept journal early on in my life.

The next thing Nephi tells us is that his Father still has communication with God. Right in the beginning The Book of Mormon declares that prophets are an essential piece in God's plan of happiness for his children.

Lastly, he says "the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." Who wouldn't want to liken this scripture to themselves. To think, if i am faithful, the Lord will deliver me from the struggles of this life.