1 Nephi - Chapter 5 - Versus 1 thru 22

In this chapter there are two major themes that I picked out.

1. Sariah's lack of faith in Lehi that he was commanded of God to send their sons out to recover the plates. Up to this point in the Book of Mormon we haven't heard to much about any women. There have been mentions of them, but never any mention of their thoughts or fears. Sariah is complaining to Lehi about what he has sent their sons to do and she is doubting him for doing it. She begins to question Lehi if he is truly a man of God or are they wondering in the wilderness because he is crazy? I like that Sariah was able to go and talk to Lehi about her concerns and her feelings even if they were of doubt of him and what he was trying to do. I like that instead of getting mad at Sariah he was able to sit down with her and talk to her about why he was doing what he was doing and that it was important that it be done. I am thankful to see that after they had their conversation that Sariah was able to have enough faith in her husband to wait with him and I am sure comfort not only herself but also Lehi as they waited to see what was going to happen to their sons. I can only imagine the relief Sariah must of felt when she saw her sons come back to them in the wilderness and how that must of strengthen not only her testimony of prayer, but also her faith in God and in her husband.

2. The genealogy of Lehi and his fathers. I can imagine how important this was for Lehi to discover and to know. I think some of us search our whole lives to know where we came from and I think it is important for all of us to realize how important genealogy is to each and every one of us. I know that the church has always told its members how important genealogy is and that we should be diligent in doing our own genealogies to make sure that our ancestors are able to receive the blessings they need but what does that mean to you and I? Does that mean we should just do a couple of generations and call it quits? Or does it mean we should make this a part of lives and do as much as we can while we are here on this earth? I think that it is for all of us to decide but I also think it is very important that at the very least to know how important genealogy is to the Book of Mormon.

So I leave you with these questions:

How can this scripture of Sariah and Lehi be an example to all of us who from time to time have doubts not only about ourselves but about our loved ones?

What does Genealogy mean to you? and how do you make it a part of your life today?

Till next time,

Mr. S

1 Nephi - Chapter 4 - Versus 1 thru 38

When I was reading over these versus I was impressed at how Nephi didn't want to Laban. He really struggled with if he should kill Laban or not. In the end we know what he decided to do but I can only imagine how hard that must of been on Nephi to have to make that decision. I was also impressed with the thought process that Nephi went through to make this decision. I hope and pray in my own life that if I was ever posed with this same situation I would have the faith and foresight to be able to do what God wanted me to do and to know that what I was doing is right.

My question for the day is this - Have you ever been in a situation like this? If you have do you feel you did the right thing?

Till next time,

Mr. S

1 Nephi - Chapter 2 - Verses 1 thru 24

While reading this chapter I couldn't help but think to myself what would it be like to give up all of your worldly possessions and go into the wilderness and live? I can only imagine how hard that would be and here Lehi just did what was asked of him to do. What a man of great faith. He probably didn't understand fully why he was being asked to move his family but in his mind it was an easy decision to make. He picked up everything and went into the wilderness to live because he had been asked by God to do so.

It never once mentioned that Lehi worried about how they would live or survive he took the essentials with him and went to find his new home. In this day and age that would seem like a crazy thing to do. If you witnessed your friends or family just all of sudden one day pick up a few belongings and go off into the woods to live you would think they had lost their minds. But Lehi didn't even think twice about what he needed to do he just did it. What a time this must of been in his life and the life of his family as his family didn't know if they would live or die in the wilderness but they had to have faith in Lehi that he was doing what he was told to do. I am sure it took a lot of faith and courage on the part of his wife and his children to follow him away from everything they had ever known and loved.

I often wonder if I would have enough faith if this was asked of me to do? Could I up and leave "everything" if this is what was asked of me from our Heavenly Father?

As always feel free to share your thoughts and comments on this topic.

Till next time,

Mr. S