Scripture Thought 3/4/2009
1 Nephi 3:5
Note the response of Laman and Lemuel, "It is a hard thing that is requested..." It makes one wonder, was it that they knew it should be done and did not want to? They knew that it was not going to be easy, so they were whining about it or looking for the easy road out. Are there things in our life that appear that way? How do we respond? Do we look for ways to avoid the hard thing, work around it, or put our shoulders to the wheel and do it?
As I read this verse I also see the influence of this attitude passing on to others. Lehi does not specify that Laman and Lemuel were the ones who responded this way, but told Nephi that it was his brothers response. I just envisioned Laman and Lemuel responding this way because it seems to be in their character. Did Sam respond the same way? Was he swayed by his older brothers?
Here in verse we hear how Nephi's brothers responded. Did Nephi know what was being requested of him as well? He is the youngest, did he really know how hard it would be? Do any of us know how hard or challenging something may be for us when requested? Should it matter?
I think it is always important to look at the last line of this verse "It is not I who sends them, but it is a commandment of the Lord". Does it matter how hard it is?
As a father I think of it from Lehi's perspective as well. Was it easy for him to send them? Was it easy to watch them struggle, but knew that they had to struggle to learn for themselves. This too is a commandment from the Lord. Parents send their children out into the world to make it on their own. We hope and pray they will find the Lord. We hope and pray that when they falter, they will get back up and keep moving forward.
Note the response of Laman and Lemuel, "It is a hard thing that is requested..." It makes one wonder, was it that they knew it should be done and did not want to? They knew that it was not going to be easy, so they were whining about it or looking for the easy road out. Are there things in our life that appear that way? How do we respond? Do we look for ways to avoid the hard thing, work around it, or put our shoulders to the wheel and do it?
As I read this verse I also see the influence of this attitude passing on to others. Lehi does not specify that Laman and Lemuel were the ones who responded this way, but told Nephi that it was his brothers response. I just envisioned Laman and Lemuel responding this way because it seems to be in their character. Did Sam respond the same way? Was he swayed by his older brothers?
Here in verse we hear how Nephi's brothers responded. Did Nephi know what was being requested of him as well? He is the youngest, did he really know how hard it would be? Do any of us know how hard or challenging something may be for us when requested? Should it matter?
I think it is always important to look at the last line of this verse "It is not I who sends them, but it is a commandment of the Lord". Does it matter how hard it is?
As a father I think of it from Lehi's perspective as well. Was it easy for him to send them? Was it easy to watch them struggle, but knew that they had to struggle to learn for themselves. This too is a commandment from the Lord. Parents send their children out into the world to make it on their own. We hope and pray they will find the Lord. We hope and pray that when they falter, they will get back up and keep moving forward.
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