Scripture Thought
1 Nephi 7:2, 4
I have always wondered about this. Lehi is telling his sons that they need to return to Jerusalem to get wives. Did they have a choice? Why did they think of Ishmael's family? What was the relationship? How did they know that his family would just pack up and go?
I think that many can learn from this example. It would appear that with this new mission, the boys did not hesitate. They packed their tents and headed out. Reading these verses makes it sound so easy. Was it?
I don't so. I don't think the boys just went to Ishmael's home, knocked on the door, and said, "The Lord has sent us to court your daughters. We need you to pack up all your belongings and move to wilderness with us. Meet us at the end of town tomorrow morning and we will be on our way." I just don't see this happening.
Sometimes, I think that there are young missionaries who go out and expect the same thing. Missionary work, courting, serving in the gospel, home teaching, visiting teaching just don't work that way. Read verse 4 and listen to what is being said.
First, they had to find the courage to even go to Ishmael's home. This took a great deal of faith. Once they were there, they had to prove themselves. They had to do something. They developed and build relationships with this family. I don't think it was a short weekend trip.
What does the verse say, "They did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael." I am a father, I know that this is not an easy task. These young men needed to prove themselves worthy of his daughters.
I think this same principle applies to missionary work, home and visiting, serving in the temple, or what ever the case may be. We could even apply it to our places of employment. We must gain favor in the sight of those we serve. This is not always and easy task. It requires us to be our best, know who we are serving, and then doing it. There is a talk by David O. McKay giving in around 1920 that talks about this. He was talking about the calling of a teacher, but it applies to so much more.
What are you doing to gain favor in the sight of those around you? Are you working along side them? Are you going the extra mile? Are you taking interest in that which they do, desire, and who they really are?
It is our responsibility to do this work. We represent the Lord in all that we do. The Light of Christ should radiate from us no matter what we are doing, courting, tracking, home/visiting teaching, or just plain working. The gospel should not only be part of our lives, but be our lives.
Once these young men had done this to gain favor in the sight of Ishmael and his family, they then proceeded to explain the word of the Lord and the mission they were on. Again, it was not a weekend trip.
Are you working on gaining favor?
I have always wondered about this. Lehi is telling his sons that they need to return to Jerusalem to get wives. Did they have a choice? Why did they think of Ishmael's family? What was the relationship? How did they know that his family would just pack up and go?
I think that many can learn from this example. It would appear that with this new mission, the boys did not hesitate. They packed their tents and headed out. Reading these verses makes it sound so easy. Was it?
I don't so. I don't think the boys just went to Ishmael's home, knocked on the door, and said, "The Lord has sent us to court your daughters. We need you to pack up all your belongings and move to wilderness with us. Meet us at the end of town tomorrow morning and we will be on our way." I just don't see this happening.
Sometimes, I think that there are young missionaries who go out and expect the same thing. Missionary work, courting, serving in the gospel, home teaching, visiting teaching just don't work that way. Read verse 4 and listen to what is being said.
First, they had to find the courage to even go to Ishmael's home. This took a great deal of faith. Once they were there, they had to prove themselves. They had to do something. They developed and build relationships with this family. I don't think it was a short weekend trip.
What does the verse say, "They did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael." I am a father, I know that this is not an easy task. These young men needed to prove themselves worthy of his daughters.
I think this same principle applies to missionary work, home and visiting, serving in the temple, or what ever the case may be. We could even apply it to our places of employment. We must gain favor in the sight of those we serve. This is not always and easy task. It requires us to be our best, know who we are serving, and then doing it. There is a talk by David O. McKay giving in around 1920 that talks about this. He was talking about the calling of a teacher, but it applies to so much more.
What are you doing to gain favor in the sight of those around you? Are you working along side them? Are you going the extra mile? Are you taking interest in that which they do, desire, and who they really are?
It is our responsibility to do this work. We represent the Lord in all that we do. The Light of Christ should radiate from us no matter what we are doing, courting, tracking, home/visiting teaching, or just plain working. The gospel should not only be part of our lives, but be our lives.
Once these young men had done this to gain favor in the sight of Ishmael and his family, they then proceeded to explain the word of the Lord and the mission they were on. Again, it was not a weekend trip.
Are you working on gaining favor?
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