Scriptural Thought 9/17/09
1 Nephi 3:23-25
I have always thought about this story. Here we see that Nephi has persuaded his brothers to go to the old Homestead, gather up all their belongings, and return to the house of Laban. Can you imagine how much stuff they had? They must have had a great deal to even think that Laban would entertain the idea of exchanging.
Now the other interesting idea is that in this company is Laman. Hadn't he just been chased out of the city by the servants of Laban and marked or labeled a thief? How is it that he was able to walk right back in with all these goods? Was he in disguise? Or were they so focused on the mounds of treasure that they did not care who was bringing it? I don't know.
A few things become very clear. Nephi, places a very high temporal value on these plates. He cannot seem to relay the spiritual value to these men. Laban has one goal; acquire wealth, power, and position. These two men, though their intents and values are complete opposites of the spectrum will show that they are willing to do anything to obtain their goals.
Nephi is willing to give up everything he has. Laban is willing to conspire to murder. What end of the spectrum are you on? That may sound like a silly question. We don't normally go around thinking about who we might kill to get what we want. However, how many of us thing about what we are willing to give up to obtain what we want? Have we taken time to evaluate what it is that we want?
Don't become blinded by the things of the world. Don't lose sight of what is really important. Once you have your eye on the goal, don't waiver from the path.
I have always thought about this story. Here we see that Nephi has persuaded his brothers to go to the old Homestead, gather up all their belongings, and return to the house of Laban. Can you imagine how much stuff they had? They must have had a great deal to even think that Laban would entertain the idea of exchanging.
Now the other interesting idea is that in this company is Laman. Hadn't he just been chased out of the city by the servants of Laban and marked or labeled a thief? How is it that he was able to walk right back in with all these goods? Was he in disguise? Or were they so focused on the mounds of treasure that they did not care who was bringing it? I don't know.
A few things become very clear. Nephi, places a very high temporal value on these plates. He cannot seem to relay the spiritual value to these men. Laban has one goal; acquire wealth, power, and position. These two men, though their intents and values are complete opposites of the spectrum will show that they are willing to do anything to obtain their goals.
Nephi is willing to give up everything he has. Laban is willing to conspire to murder. What end of the spectrum are you on? That may sound like a silly question. We don't normally go around thinking about who we might kill to get what we want. However, how many of us thing about what we are willing to give up to obtain what we want? Have we taken time to evaluate what it is that we want?
Don't become blinded by the things of the world. Don't lose sight of what is really important. Once you have your eye on the goal, don't waiver from the path.
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