Since reading President Nelson’s
talk, Joy and Spiritual Survival yesterday,
I’ve been thinking a lot about Lehi and about the hardships and trials he went
through. In 1 Nephi 16, after Nephi breaks his bow while hunting, verse 20
reads:
“And it came to
pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur
exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and
also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all
exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.”
This is the only time that I can
think of in which it is mentioned that Lehi ‘murmured’ against God; a rather
remarkable testament and tribute to his faith. Lehi had every reason to murmur;
he was wandering the wilderness for years without wealth or possessions, and
with two rowdy sons who were constantly rebelling and muttering under their
breath, going as far as to plot to kill him on multiple occasions, and yet this is the only moment which Nephi
chooses to mention that his father murmured. Wow.
After being rebuked for murmuring,
Lehi recognizes his wrongdoing, and seeks repentance. He was “chastened” so
much “that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow,” and was then told to
look to the Liahona for directions regarding where food could be found. While
we have no idea what was written on the Liahona, we do know that whatever it
was, it made Lehi “fear and tremble exceedingly.” Regardless, Lehi’s family did
find out that day that the Lihona works through the “faith and diligence” given
unto it.
In a discussion earlier today, I
was speaking about joy and the ways in which it can be felt. When we suffer affliction,
I think the best remedy is likely to have joy at all times and in all moments.
We must cling to the Savior, get to know Him personally, and recognize the blessings
and desires He has for us. If we want to experience joy, in other words, we
have to seek out joy. We have to pray for it, and do those things which the
Savior
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