Scripture Thought 11/17/08
1 Nephi 2:11
I can really relate to Lehi right now. Laman and Lemuel were pretty stiffnecked. It pained Lehi to watch them waste what they had been blessed with. I am sure that he knew exactly what they were doing and saying behind his back. He saw their potential. He wanted them to achieve that potential. Laman could be a leader that provided strength to those who followed him. Lemuel could be a firm foundation for his family as he leads them by following the commandments.
So why didn't they see it? Why did they rebel and do just the opposite of what their father wanted them to do? It appears that they were more focused on what they had, what the world wanted, how they were perceived by the world and man, than they were focused on what influence they had on others.
Lehi had given them the best of both worlds. People looked to and respected their family. However, when Laman and Lemuel witnessed how the world responded when Lehi would not conform to worldliness, but stood up for his beliefs and standards in firmness, they could not handle the rejection, loss of status or reproach. It sounds like they would even deny association with the standards, beliefs, and desires of their father.
Do I worry too much about the world's perception? Am I steadfast in my standards? Can I be better? Do I follow the spirit? Am I willing to sacrifice? How can I be stronger?
How would you answer these questions? Are they important to you?
I can really relate to Lehi right now. Laman and Lemuel were pretty stiffnecked. It pained Lehi to watch them waste what they had been blessed with. I am sure that he knew exactly what they were doing and saying behind his back. He saw their potential. He wanted them to achieve that potential. Laman could be a leader that provided strength to those who followed him. Lemuel could be a firm foundation for his family as he leads them by following the commandments.
So why didn't they see it? Why did they rebel and do just the opposite of what their father wanted them to do? It appears that they were more focused on what they had, what the world wanted, how they were perceived by the world and man, than they were focused on what influence they had on others.
Lehi had given them the best of both worlds. People looked to and respected their family. However, when Laman and Lemuel witnessed how the world responded when Lehi would not conform to worldliness, but stood up for his beliefs and standards in firmness, they could not handle the rejection, loss of status or reproach. It sounds like they would even deny association with the standards, beliefs, and desires of their father.
Do I worry too much about the world's perception? Am I steadfast in my standards? Can I be better? Do I follow the spirit? Am I willing to sacrifice? How can I be stronger?
How would you answer these questions? Are they important to you?
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