1 Nephi 17:14 ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction
Lehi’s journey through the wilderness is a perfect parallel to our journey through life. This week, we learn that by following the Liahona, they were able to travel through the desert on fertile ground. “The directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.” (1 Nephi 16:16) I’m hoping we can discover how to travel on “the most fertile parts of the wilderness,”(1 Nephi’s 16:14) wading our feet in the “sea” of living water, “the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for man to receive.” (1 Nephi 17:30)
I can’t imagine journeying through the vast and unfamiliar Arabian desert, or any middle eastern desert, trying to keep my children safe, fed, and hydrated. We face a similar spiritual, difficult horizon—one that threatens to “smite us because of our iniquity, that we should be swallowed up in the depths of the sea” of darkness. ( 1 Nephi 18:10) “Suffering much affliction, hunger, thirst, and fatigue; and after all these sufferings we must perish in the wilderness with hunger.” (1 Nephi 16:35) However, as we follow the Lord he will protect us and our children. “This saith the Lord…. for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” (1 Nephi 22:25) He knows our needs perfectly, and those that we love. “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” (1 Nephi 21:16) If we choose to stay —in His loving palms, we will never have to worry, “They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.” (1 Nephi 21:10)
1 Nephi 17:3 …And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them
Preparation for the storms of life is key to keeping safe and arriving at the “promised land,” “tree of life,” or back home eternally with Heavenly Father. To survive the Arabian desert they brought “seed of every kind.” (1 Nephi 16:11) We have been asked to plant seeds of faith that will sprout into trees of desire, belief, faith, hope, and trust; all which will sustain us through our own afflictions. The Lord gave Lehi’s family “a round ball of curious workmanship,” (1 Nephi 16:11) To us he has given the gift of the Holy Ghost. Both of these tools require “work according to the faith and diligence and heed.” (1 Nephi 16:28) The Lord told Lehi and Nephi to “get thee into the mountain,” where they “cried unto the Lord.” (1 Nephi 17:7) We have also been asked to stand up and stand out from the normal, everyday chaos of life, and to seek the Lord’s guidance. The Lord assisted Nephi and his brothers in obtaining the “plates of brass,” so they would have the word of the prophets to learn from. “The things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lord.” Nephi taught his people to “liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope.” (1 Nephi 19:25) we also can and should liken the scriptures to our lives, so that we can fully benefit from their teachings. As we do these things we must “remember the Lord (our) Redeemer.” (1 Nephi 19:18)
1 Nephi 17:13 And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
The way of the Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, he has always watched over, protected, and led those that love him. “He that is righteous is favored of God.” (1 Nephi 17:35) That includes everyone, “Lord esteemeth all flesh in one;” (1 Nephi 17:35) “Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.” (1 Nephi 17:36) The greatest gratitude we can give God is to love him back, “he loveth those who will have him to be their God.” (1 Nephi 17:40) In return we will be “filled with the power of God,” and strengthened to be able to accomplish all things. “God had commanded me to do all things I could do them.” (1 Nephi’s 17:50) He is our living water that will hydrate our souls through the greatest of spiritual droughts, we must travel on fertile ground! “Thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” (1 Nephi 20:18) “They thirsted not; he led them through the deserts; he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them; he clave the rock also and the waters gushed out.” (1 Nephi 20:21) “I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.” (1 Nephi 21:11)
1 Nephi 22:25 And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.
-Written by Sherri Jorgensen
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