Scripture Thought
1 Nephi 8:3-4
As we start going into Lehi's dream, I have often wondered about why he had this dream. We all have dreams, but this one seems to come in answer to prayer. It is easy for me to relate to Lehi. I am sure he was constantly aware of each member of his family. He, like myself, probably found himself on his knees asking for guidance in how he could be a better husband, father, patriarch, or priesthood holder. He probably worried about how that path he was following would affect his marriage, his children, his grand children, and those who chose to associate with him. He probably asked for help in how he could best fulfill these roles.
Now he has been given some instruction, insight, guidance, and it does not appear to be as simple as he was probably hoping. Don't we all wish the answers the Lord gives us were just a simple process? But that is life isn't it? Just as Lehi had this vision opened to him of the potentials of his children and many more, the Lord has that vision of us. The path to get where he wants us is not always easy. He knows that we have to face challenges to be able to truly appreciate the fruit at the end. The challenges make us strong so that we can with stand the buffeting we get along the way and when we arrive. Do you think it is easy for the Lord to watch?
Lehi has reason to rejoice in some members of his family. Why? Because he can see the path they are currently on and where they are headed. He is concerned about the others. Why? Because he can see the path they are currently on and where they are headed. He does not lose hope. He still knows what they are capable of. He continues to encourage, support, guide, love, and stand by his family and the individual choices they make. He may not always be happy with the choices, but he still loves them.
He learns from his dream that all new challenges in life require us to find out who we are and where we are going. He starts in a dark and dreary wilderness. I like to think of this as the unknown. When ever we are faced with new challenges, change, sometimes daily life, there is that element of the unknown. The path ahead seems to be clouded in a forest of darkness.
It is at this point that we have to make a choice.
Do we sit at the edge of the forest? We know we can't go backwards.
Do we move forward and wander alone aimlessly? That initial step is always and individual step. We each have to make that choice individually.
Once we take that step, where do we go? Where did Lehi go? Who did he seek first? Who did he seek second? We will keep talking about it, but the Lord knows. It is part of his plan. He is not imaginary. The family unit is not fantasy. Though we all enter the forest at different points, have to walk varied paths, pass through many mists of darkness in life, we are in it together as a family. Christ is our cornerstone. Our goal is to covenant with him and our families to return to God's presence together. We must never forget that.
So I ask, are we?
As we start going into Lehi's dream, I have often wondered about why he had this dream. We all have dreams, but this one seems to come in answer to prayer. It is easy for me to relate to Lehi. I am sure he was constantly aware of each member of his family. He, like myself, probably found himself on his knees asking for guidance in how he could be a better husband, father, patriarch, or priesthood holder. He probably worried about how that path he was following would affect his marriage, his children, his grand children, and those who chose to associate with him. He probably asked for help in how he could best fulfill these roles.
Now he has been given some instruction, insight, guidance, and it does not appear to be as simple as he was probably hoping. Don't we all wish the answers the Lord gives us were just a simple process? But that is life isn't it? Just as Lehi had this vision opened to him of the potentials of his children and many more, the Lord has that vision of us. The path to get where he wants us is not always easy. He knows that we have to face challenges to be able to truly appreciate the fruit at the end. The challenges make us strong so that we can with stand the buffeting we get along the way and when we arrive. Do you think it is easy for the Lord to watch?
Lehi has reason to rejoice in some members of his family. Why? Because he can see the path they are currently on and where they are headed. He is concerned about the others. Why? Because he can see the path they are currently on and where they are headed. He does not lose hope. He still knows what they are capable of. He continues to encourage, support, guide, love, and stand by his family and the individual choices they make. He may not always be happy with the choices, but he still loves them.
He learns from his dream that all new challenges in life require us to find out who we are and where we are going. He starts in a dark and dreary wilderness. I like to think of this as the unknown. When ever we are faced with new challenges, change, sometimes daily life, there is that element of the unknown. The path ahead seems to be clouded in a forest of darkness.
It is at this point that we have to make a choice.
Do we sit at the edge of the forest? We know we can't go backwards.
Do we move forward and wander alone aimlessly? That initial step is always and individual step. We each have to make that choice individually.
Once we take that step, where do we go? Where did Lehi go? Who did he seek first? Who did he seek second? We will keep talking about it, but the Lord knows. It is part of his plan. He is not imaginary. The family unit is not fantasy. Though we all enter the forest at different points, have to walk varied paths, pass through many mists of darkness in life, we are in it together as a family. Christ is our cornerstone. Our goal is to covenant with him and our families to return to God's presence together. We must never forget that.
So I ask, are we?
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