Fertile Parts of the Wilderness

1 Nephi 15-16

I love chapter 16 so much. There are a few little gems in there that bring me great comfort if I apply them to myself. What's exciting about this chapter in the story sense is that Lehi finally gets the word to get up and move out. They've 'dwelt in a tent' and received scriptures, wives, dreams, revelations and so much instruction from the Lord (and I'm sure there was plenty of meaningful family bonding all the while) and now it was time for them to take their journey into the wilderness.

It's interesting. I was just praying about this. I've mentioned before that I feel like my life during the past few years has been all tent and no moving through the wilderness. I'm sure that's not really the case, but that's what it feels like. I feel held. Not trapped (on my good days) or even stuck. Just...held. Still. I'm sure that Lehi and his family may have felt that way at times, too. Why aren't we moving? Where are we even going? Why are we waiting around HERE?

Well, Lehi did what was required of him and in 5:20 and in 16:8 Nephi makes it clear: "And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him." What a wonderful thing to have said about you. I would love it if I could be described that way. Sure, that's what we're all shooting for, and Nephi says it twice about his father Lehi. I feel like I'm doing all that I can. I try to keep the commandments and learn what I need to learn. I just can't help saying "Ok. Now what?"

Lehi's family got their 'now what' and they were commanded to leave in v. 10. This is another thing I worry about. If Heavenly Father wanted me to get up and 'take my journey' after some serious tent-dwelling, would I recognize it? Would I know that's what He wanted of me? I think I have this fear of sitting in my tent forever, too afraid to do what He may want if it requires any risk. That's a silly fear since I do believe that He knows me and how my brain works. He will make sure that I know what to do next and WHEN. He won't condemn me to the tent forever just because I might be a little "Spirit Deaf", or even if I'm too afraid to hear Him the first time. That's a relieving thought that I need to remember.

But Lehi isn't Spirit Deaf. He hears and he gets up and they find the Liahona. What a wonderful tool. I love learning about the Liahona. It can be likened to the scriptures, the Book of Mormon specifically, the Spirit, the words of modern prophets...which is pretty awesome, actually. It basically represents all of the (very many) ways Heavenly Father has provided to instruct and lead us in the right direction. Again. Why am I afraid of not understanding? He doesn't work that way. He's not coded, or mysterious. He is plain and precious and if it might be difficult because there are so many choices, He leaves an awesome compass outside your tent door. (Side note: This is why compasses are so dear and special to me. I've started collecting them just for their awesome symbolism.)

And yeah. You're traveling in the "wilderness." Is the wilderness simply our life here on Earth? Or is it trials and tribulations? Either way, the Liahona will guide us through. I love LOVE what Nephi tells us about how it works:

14...And we did go forth again in the wilderness, following the same direction, keeping in the most fertile parts of the wilderness, which were in the borders near the Red Sea.
16 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness.

So yeah, it's wilderness. But it's good wilderness. In the same way that Heavenly Father lightened the burdens of Alma's people while they were in captivity to the point where they couldn't even feel them, He will lead us through the good parts of the wilderness, if we will only but listen and follow the directions. I love that thought. The point is not for life and trials to be as hard as they possibly can be. The point is for us to come unto Christ and have rest in this life.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Liahona was one example of something to lighten their burden. However, they had to stay humble and soft-hearted for it to work.

29 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things. (emphasis mine)

(It kind of kills me that Nephi refers to the Liahona as 'small means'. To me it is huge and miraculous. Very Deus ex Machina. But I guess Nephi didn't see it that way.) :)

This whole 'faith and diligence' rule goes for all the tools that we've been given to help us on our modern journey through the wilderness.
- The gift of the Holy Ghost
- The Book of Mormon/Modern scripture
- Counsel of local church leaders
- Counsel of parents, family patriarch
- Counsel of patriarchal blessing
- Words of modern prophets
- Prayer
- Repentance

All of that stuff works according to the "faith and diligence and heed" we give them.