Sunday, February 5, 2017

Second Nephi 3:1

And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last-born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee.

The journey in the wilderness was no piece of cake for Lehi. He receive revelation that Laman and Lemuel would reject salvation. He saw Nephi suffer greatly at the hands of his older brothers. He saw his older sons attempt murder and lie and deny that they had seen an angel and heard the voice of God. Their constant murmuring made his life miserable. The contention that his older sons and the sons of Ishmael brought into the family caused Lehi to despair of life as they crossed the ocean on what, under the best of circumstances, must have been very trying circumstances. Lehi had been hungry and fatigued right along with the rest of his family. Despite having had marvelous revelations and glorious visions and the miracle of the Liahona, Lehi had not escaped the temporal trials of the wilderness.

Just because we have a testimony and are striving to keep the commandments, we are not exempt from the challenges of living a mortal life on a telestial earth. In fact, sometimes our very attempts to draw closer to the Lord qualify us for greater trials. The Lord tries his people. He wants us to be strong and patient and humble and meek. These attributes come only to those who have endured affliction. Thus, we should consider ourselves blessed when we are faced with troubles and sorrows. It means the Lord trusts us and is stretching us. This knowledge doesn't make the trials any less real, but it can bring a measure of peace to a troubled heart. We do not ever have to be alone.

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