1 And it came to pass that after we had come down into the wilderness unto our father, behold, he was filled with joy, and also my mother, Sariah, was exceedingly glad, for she truly had mourned because of us.
2 For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.
4 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.
5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.
6 And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.
7 And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.
8 And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak.
9 And it came to pass that they did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel.
This painting has always been my favorite. It is a picture of Lehi and Sariah in the wilderness waiting for their sons to come home. Sariah is mourning because she believed that her sons had perished. She also complains against Lehi because of his revelations from the Lord. At the same time, we see Lehi looking up and seeing his sons coming home safely. He does not have doubt or fear for he trusts in the Lords plan for his family. I often think that if Sariah would just "look up" she too would have a peaceful confirmation that everything will turn out right. In life we go through hard times and don't always understand what is going on. With our sometimes limited view, it is hard to see the eternal perspective that God has. That is why faith, trust in the Lord, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost is so very important. When we trust in the Lord and do the right thing, we are blessed. Sometimes though, doing His will is really hard, but we always need to remember that He is right.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways remember Him, and He will direct thy paths.
Like Sariah, I know how it feels to want to look down and cry. However, if we look up, like Lehi, we will be filled with strength and peace! Through doing so we can begin to have a better perspective. However, this still means that we might not understand why things happen. But I know that when we follow God, He will help us through hard times. Something to always remember is that God loves us and wants the best for us. Through trials, we become stronger and more refined. Just like a diamond has to go through immense heat and pressure before it can become perfect, so do we need trials and tribulation along the way to help us learn and become more perfect. I love to hike, and sometimes, the trail is very steep and hard to climb. But when I look down from the top and see how far I've come, I feel good that I didn't give up. I know we can overcome the "mountains of life" if we persist.
My favorite scene from Joseph King of Dreams is below. I finally fully understand every word in the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcgpExqkLwE
I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loved me enough to put me on this earth, out of his presence so that I can learn and become the best me. Just like we need to leave our parents homes when we get to a certain age so that we can continue growing on our own, we need this time to learn things we can only learn by living here on earth. I'm grateful that I can always go to Him in prayer and rely on His guidance through the Holy Ghost every day!
"On my knees I stand much taller."
I love the song below because it talks about how we all have burdens, but if we "look upward in joy And take hold of his hand; He will lead [us] to heights that are new." So, let us not look down, but look UP and know that everything will turn out right if we follow the Lord's will. :)
Does the Journey Seem Long? LDS Hymn 127
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=127&searchsubseqstart= &searchseqend=127&searchsubseqend=ZZZ
D&C 112:10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.
LDS Hymn 79: "Amidst a thousand snares I stand,
Upheld and guided by thy hand.
Thy words my fainting soul revive
And keep my dying faith alive."
Don't forget to "Look Up"! Especially when things aren't easy.
This painting has always been my favorite. It is a picture of Lehi and Sariah in the wilderness waiting for their sons to come home. Sariah is mourning because she believed that her sons had perished. She also complains against Lehi because of his revelations from the Lord. At the same time, we see Lehi looking up and seeing his sons coming home safely. He does not have doubt or fear for he trusts in the Lords plan for his family. I often think that if Sariah would just "look up" she too would have a peaceful confirmation that everything will turn out right. In life we go through hard times and don't always understand what is going on. With our sometimes limited view, it is hard to see the eternal perspective that God has. That is why faith, trust in the Lord, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost is so very important. When we trust in the Lord and do the right thing, we are blessed. Sometimes though, doing His will is really hard, but we always need to remember that He is right.
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways remember Him, and He will direct thy paths.
Like Sariah, I know how it feels to want to look down and cry. However, if we look up, like Lehi, we will be filled with strength and peace! Through doing so we can begin to have a better perspective. However, this still means that we might not understand why things happen. But I know that when we follow God, He will help us through hard times. Something to always remember is that God loves us and wants the best for us. Through trials, we become stronger and more refined. Just like a diamond has to go through immense heat and pressure before it can become perfect, so do we need trials and tribulation along the way to help us learn and become more perfect. I love to hike, and sometimes, the trail is very steep and hard to climb. But when I look down from the top and see how far I've come, I feel good that I didn't give up. I know we can overcome the "mountains of life" if we persist.
My favorite scene from Joseph King of Dreams is below. I finally fully understand every word in the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcgpExqkLwE
I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father who loved me enough to put me on this earth, out of his presence so that I can learn and become the best me. Just like we need to leave our parents homes when we get to a certain age so that we can continue growing on our own, we need this time to learn things we can only learn by living here on earth. I'm grateful that I can always go to Him in prayer and rely on His guidance through the Holy Ghost every day!
"On my knees I stand much taller."
I love the song below because it talks about how we all have burdens, but if we "look upward in joy And take hold of his hand; He will lead [us] to heights that are new." So, let us not look down, but look UP and know that everything will turn out right if we follow the Lord's will. :)
Does the Journey Seem Long? LDS Hymn 127
1. Does the journey seem long, The path rugged and steep?
Are there briars and thorns on the way?
Do sharp stones cut your feet As you struggle to rise
To the heights thru the heat of the day?
2. Is your heart faint and sad, Your soul weary within,
As you toil ‘neath your burden of care?
Does the load heavy seem You are forced now to lift?
Is there no one your burden to share?
3. Let your heart be not faint Now the journey’s begun;
There is One who still beckons to you.
So look upward in joy And take hold of his hand;
He will lead you to heights that are new
4. A land holy and pure, Where all trouble doth end,
And your life shall be free from all sin,
Where no tears shall be shed, For no sorrows remain.
Take his hand and with him enter in.
Click on the link below to hear it.
Are there briars and thorns on the way?
Do sharp stones cut your feet As you struggle to rise
To the heights thru the heat of the day?
2. Is your heart faint and sad, Your soul weary within,
As you toil ‘neath your burden of care?
Does the load heavy seem You are forced now to lift?
Is there no one your burden to share?
3. Let your heart be not faint Now the journey’s begun;
There is One who still beckons to you.
So look upward in joy And take hold of his hand;
He will lead you to heights that are new
4. A land holy and pure, Where all trouble doth end,
And your life shall be free from all sin,
Where no tears shall be shed, For no sorrows remain.
Take his hand and with him enter in.
Click on the link below to hear it.
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=127&searchsubseqstart= &searchseqend=127&searchsubseqend=ZZZ
D&C 112:10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“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.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
LDS Hymn 79: "Amidst a thousand snares I stand,
Upheld and guided by thy hand.
Thy words my fainting soul revive
And keep my dying faith alive."
Don't forget to "Look Up"! Especially when things aren't easy.
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