Monday, February 23, 2009

1 Nephi 17:15-16

After Nephi received the commandment from the Lord to build a ship, and as he was preparing to make tools with which to build his ship, he mentions in the record that he strove to keep the commandments of God and also to exhort his brethren to faithfulness and diligence. This is our first clue to the reaction his brothers had when Nephi told them that he was going to build a ship. Nephi finishes making tools out of the rock molten. Then his brothers find out that Nephi is going to build a ship and sail across the sea.

We must remember that Laman and Lemuel were humbled by opposition, meaning that when they were going to die for lack of food and a talking to from the Lord they followed Lehi and Nephi. Here, they've been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days. They had the comforts of life and they didn't have to travel or work. This is the time when men are who they truly are. They became lazy and unbelieving. If things are going good for us, are we as believing (or faithful to the daily things God has asked of us) or as hardworking as when times are tough?

No comments: