-It is
typical that once we hear and know the world of God we want to share it with
others, even if the only other ones that are around us are our brothers
(family). What was Sam and Nephi’s
relationship like? Consider the
sophistication, the depth and the closeness of a brother-brother relationship. As a young man who would you confide in after
having such a profound experience?
Surely it would be a good friend.
It is only a supposition but we can surmise that Sam was one of Nephi’s
closest friends.
“And I spake
unto Sam…”
-Nephi
may have confided his experience with Sam early on, but he also made his
testimony and experience known to Laman and Lemuel on many occasions. He “spake unto” them as well. The great and obvious difference is that Sam
“Believed in (his) words” while his oldest two brothers never would. What a tremendous influence Nephi became to
his brother Sam. In a very real way,
Nephi became a savior to Sam. Consider
the possibility that Sam, while not convinced or committed one way or another,
could easily have fallen in line with his older brothers if Nephi had not
experienced and then shared this heavenly direction.
“manifested
unto me by his Holy Spirit.”
-so what
was the nature of Nephi’s spiritual experience?
Was he visited by the Savior or by the Holy Spirit? Which would you prefer, why? The plain truth is that there is no
difference. Both are members of the
Godhead with the same message, the same priesthood, the same authority. If we have seen or felt the presence of the
Son, we have seen the Father. The same
can be said of the ministration of the Holy Ghost. How many, then, have communed with God? How many have had a spiritual manifestation
of the Holy Ghost… these have met with
God.
No comments:
Post a Comment