It is, for me, one of the most remarkable examples of what can happen when we are faced with the choice of following the Lord, or turning away from His ways. Though the story of Lehi’s family, which can be found in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, lasts far longer than one post can hold, the pattern is set in just the first few chapters of 1 Nephi.
600 years before Christ was born, a humble man in Jerusalem took to heart the teachings of the Lord’s prophets concerning the wickedness of the people in his city. This man believed their words so much he began to preach them as well. He even received a vision that served to strengthen his commitment. This conversion didn’t exactly make him a favorite among his friends. Even his two eldest sons began to mock him, calling him a visionary man, and other titles meant to poke fun.
As hostility against his teachings grew, the man began to fear for his family. Knowing what would happen to the city due to the unrepentant hearts of its’ inhabitants, the man took his family away from what was probably the only home they had ever know. They left behind a comfortable life, many gold, jewels and other riches, as well as good friends.
At the time they left the city of Jerusalem, Lehi had four sons and two daughters that we know of. The two oldest, Laman and Lemuel, were selfish creatures, slow to remember their God, and often described as stiffnecked and continually murmuring and inciting others to stir up their up their hearts to anger (1 Nephi 16:38) against those in authority. Laman in particular resented his father, who took him from his comfortable life because he claimed to have heard a voice, and Nephi, a younger brother who, in his eyes, was constantly trying to usurp Laman’s birthright as the eldest. Lemuel, who was just as selfish as Laman, gladly followed Laman’s every move.
And then there was Nephi. Nephi was an obedient son, respectful of his parents and the good upbringing they had provided for the family. It is Nephi’s example, and that of his younger brother, Sam, that I would like to look at with you today.
Shortly after Lehi brings his family into the wilderness we begin to see the difference between Laman and Nephi. Laman took to murmuring, not understanding why all of this was happening. He had no reason to believe his precious Jerusalem would be destroyed. If he had only followed the example of his younger brother, perhaps many of his questions would have been answered.
If we look in the 1 Nephi chapter 2, verse 16, we can see what it is Nephi did that convinced him his father had done the right thing:
“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.”
With a humble heart and a contrite spirit Nephi took the matter to the Lord in prayer, and he was answered. The spirit witnessed the truth of it to him. He knew that his father had made the right choice. He knew that the Lord was speaking to his father in visions. And he knew that it was important to listen to the requests of his father, for he was speaking on behalf of the Lord.
One of the first things Nephi did after receiving this witness was to bear his testimony to that of his younger brother, Sam. In verse 17 we read:
“And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words.”
How wonderful is it that Sam was able to believe merely by hearing the testimony of his brother. What faith this young man must have had. It puts me in mind of the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants section 46:13-14.
“To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.”
Nephi knew through the witness of the Holy Ghost. Sam knew because of the words Nephi spoke. Nephi didn’t stop with bearing his testimony to Sam. He took it to the rest of the family as well. Laman and Lemuel wouldn’t listen, choosing instead to murmur against their father because life had suddenly turned very hard and inconvenient. This bothered Nephi, who once again turned to the Lord to voice his frustrations. The Lord told Nephi his brothers had to choose their own way, but if they chose to go against the Lord, he would have to be a leader in their place.
We all have the option to listen to the words of our parents and leaders and choose what to do with their guidance. Will we stop to talk with the Lord, trusting that He will give us the confirmation that their words are from Him? Or will we murmur, choosing to rebel and fall away? The choice is ours, of course. Just remember it is in choosing the Lord’s path that we will find true happiness.
