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 3 - Verses 1 thru 10

While I was reading and pondering these versus last night and this morning I was blown away by the simplicity and powerfulness of versus 7. I have included verse 7 below just in case you don't have access to it while reading this posting.

Verse 7 from Chapter 3 of 1Nephi in the Book of Mormon:

7. And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I ^awill go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no ^bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall ^cprepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

What a powerful and insightful statement this is. I have read it over many times in the last two days as I have thought and ponder this single versus.

I remember as a child and a young adult often wondering to myself if I could ever live my life by following all of the commandments? I use to view the commandments as a punishment of sorts and something my parents would use to try to keep me in line when there was something else in my life that I really wanted to do, but that didn't fit their idea of something I should be doing at the time. I grew up not fully understanding all of the commandments and thus looking at them as a form of punishment and parental control. I use to think to myself there isn't anyone who can live all the commandments all of the time, and if you can't be perfect in trying to do this then why even try to live your life according to the commandments?

Now I know there can be many different ways to comprehend the versus above, and I know it can mean many different things to many different people. To me it means just starting with the basics in our lives of the 10 commandments and trying to live those commandments each and everyday. As it states above he will never command us to do anything that he hasn't already prepared a way for us to accomplish the thing which he has commandeth of us.

I know I am not perfect and I know I may never live all the commandments every day of my life but I now know also about the process of repentance and of the atonement of Jesus Christ for our sins. I know that each day I strive to live the commandments and strive to be a better person that Heavenly Father will make a path for me through all of these worldly trials and tribulations to be able to realize my end goal in life which is to be with him again someday.

I want to leave you with a question. Tell me how this one simple versus might of helped you in your life? or how it might of changed the way you look at things in your life?

Till next time,

Mr. S