“I, Nephi, and my brethren took….”
-Wait a
second, Laman and Lemuel are heading out to Jerusalem when just a few verses
earlier (see verse 5) they were pretty much against the idea… What facilitated
this change? Something happened! Sure, Nephi was a willing participant in his
father’s plans but Laman and Lemuel were adamantly against the endeavor… what
changed for them? They could certainly
have let their “over achieving, naïve” brother take on the foolhardy
mission. A couple of wonderful things
happened that we can learn from:
1. There is a power and remarkable effects
brought on by the example, obedience and determination of one person! We each have tremendous power inherent in our
example and voice if we will just use them.
-just like in the mission field: One Elder who is strictly obedient and
committed to the work can bring about a great change in his companion, who,
while possibly being a slacker or struggling, will rise up and become something
better and find some real substance in himself
The power of one can literally move the earth.
2. As bad as Laman and Lemuel were, we can see
here one of the most powerful elements of a family. Sometimes members get off track. Here the
younger brother stepped forward and said, “we need to do this, it is the right
thing” and the others fell into line.
3. Could it be that the task, which had been “a
hard thing” became a bit easier in the minds of Laman and Lemuel because of the
influence/attitude of one? I suppose
that they might have been a little more willing when they saw the faith and
confidence of Nephi. Everyone is
elevated by the righteousness or good actions of one obedient person. The whole world benefits when we do what is
right.
“with out
tents”
-why is
that phrase in here? Why the deliberate
insertion of a qualifier of their journey.
They didn’t just journey back to Jerusalem but they took their
tents… What does this mean?
-does
this give an indication that the trip was significant in duration and
distance. In other words, it was not a
simple overnighter. The journey was
lengthy which required provisions (i.e. a tent).
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