Nephi and his brothers have just obtained the brass plates and are on their way back to the encampment of their father, accompanied by Zoram, the servant of Laban.
1. And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad, for she truly had mourned because of us.
2. For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man, man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.
3. And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father.
I’ve heard some people criticize Sariah for murmuring at this point in their journey, but you know, I understand where she’s coming from. It’s still early in their travels and they aren’t relying as completely on the Lord for their food and shelter as they will later – in a way, you could say that their faith-strengthening experiences haven’t truly begun yet. Sariah loves her sons, and she also knows how much Laman and Lemuel hate their younger brothers. She must not only be worried about the dangers of travel and of the possibility of wild beasts, but she must be concerned about how Laman and Lemuel are treating Nephi and Sam. She has not had to rely on her own testimony thus far – she has always had a strong husband and a strong son to lead the family and she’s always trusted them. Now is the time when her own testimony will be strengthened and she will forge a relationship with the Lord that will be independent of her relationship with her husband.
Lehi responds to her:
4. And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.
5. But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.
6. And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.
I really like how Lehi talks to her at this time. He doesn’t condemn her or say that she’s being faithless. He understands why she’s concerned, and he answers her calmly and reasonably. He reminds her of their ultimate goal, he reminds her why they had to leave Jerusalem, and then he bears her his testimony. By bearing his testimony, he’s inviting the Spirit to witness to her, as well, and the Spirit also acts as a comforter.
From today’s reading: Have you ever had doubts? Did you ask for them to be answered or removed, or did you try to reason it all out yourself? What can we do to increase our trust that the Lord knows what’s best for us?
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