1 Nephi 17:20-21

Yesterday, we had been presented with the text of what Nephi wrote as the language of his brethren to him as he was in the beginning stages of building a ship for the family to cross the great waters of Irreantum.

They began (v. 19) by calling the notion that Nephi could build a ship and sail the waters a lacking of judgement. They went on (v. 20) to say that he was like his father, lead away by the foolish imaginations of his heart. They said that they have wondered so long in the wilderness and that the women have suffered carrying, bearing, and taking care of children in the wilderness, and they have suffered everything except death. Then they make the grand conclusion that it would have been better to have died than suffer all these things. Why did they make such a comment? What kind of state were they really in when they made it to Bountiful? I'm thinking that we have to consider Laman and Lemuel's spirituality versus Nephi's. What would Nephi say about their experience? I would think that he would see how much they've gained spiritually over the journey. They realized (or had the chance to) that they they are dependent on the Lord. They were able to gain a personal relationship with Him. Other groups like the pioneers and those that went on Zion's Camp did, too. If they had stayed in Jerusalem like Laman and Lemuel said they should have done, would they have the same relationship with the Lord as they do now? Probably not, if they were enjoying their possessions the whole time and not thinking about the Lord (see v. 21). Do we have so many things here that distract us from cultivating our relationship with the Lord?

Here is a great question from the Book of Mormon Institute: Why do you think the Lord permitted such trials? What do you think? The manual suggests for us to look at Mosiah 1:16-17 and Alma 37:41-43. Here is what Mosiah 1:16-17 says:

" 16 And moreover, he also gave him charge concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass; and also the plates of Nephi; and also, the sword of Laban, and the ball or director, which led our fathers through the wilderness, which was prepared by the hand of the Lord that thereby they might be led, every one according to the heed and diligence which they gave unto him.

17 Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty."

Here is what Alma 37:41-43:

" 41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;

42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual."

So, what do you think? Why has the Lord permitted these trials? Well, perhaps we can ask, why does the Lord give us trials? What does He want us to learn? Perhaps, there is something important about cultivating your relationship with your Father in Heaven, and becoming like Him and know what He knows.