In this story and in many others related in scripture, the moral choice is clear. The challenge is mustering the faith and courage to do what we know we should. That is hard enough.
But what about difficult choices where it is not clear? A spouse decides to attend another church after 15 years of struggle for reasons that seem morally clear to her. That is her choice.
Do I stay fully active in my LDS church, separating myself from my wife with whom God declared to become one; while we worship separately? Or do I stay fully united with her and attend her meetings that teach (only occasionally) doctrine which I do not believe? Or do we hammer out some kind of a compromise wherein we attend one hour of my meetings and one hour of her meetings every week with neither of us being fully involved at either church?
She wants to stop paying tithing and there goes my temple recommend or else face major marital discord. The ward leaders tell me to divorce her and find someone else if I desire glory in the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom and there are an excess of eligible unmarried and unsealed women my age in the church. Yet, I love my wife. I find that I like the music in her church more than the sermons in either one. An unexpected window into heaven is opened to me.That becomes a tender mercy for me. And what about the 5 children who are all different? No easy answers.
JeanJanuary 24, 2019
Through this experience Sariah's testimony was strengthened, and that's a good thing.
Arlene WelkerJanuary 24, 2019
I don't think there is anything wrong with murmuring and doubting sometimes. In very deep anguishing times I've let God have it. And I love him deeply, The Lord KNEW there would come a time when I would let Him have it. Can He take it if I doubt or complain? I think He can. I will not feel guilt because I ebb and flow in my emotions when life has slapped me pretty hard. Let's be careful not to let guilt, which we Latter Day Saints are good at, take us over because we murmur then rejoice. I think its ok. And in time, I'm sure we will improve and hopefully, learn to rejoice more and murmur less. Let's all calm down about these things. Not all of us will be Nephi's but we can try to be. We are grateful for his example.
MaryannJanuary 24, 2019
Let's give Sariah a break here, and remember how much She had sacrificed. This woman had given up her way of life and all that she had, and was actually living the law of consecration under very difficult circumstances. It might be beneficial to remember that Lehi did not chide or condemn her for voicing her fears and even grumbling against him. Instead he offered her the strength of his own faith and reassured her. "I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban.." And Nephi tells us: "..and after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, COMFORT my mother." I have wondered if perhaps one of the main reasons the Lord didn't have them get the plates of brass from Laban BEFORE they left on their journey was so that Sariah could have this experience of witnessing the Lord's protection of her sons. The Lord did not expect her to have a perfect faith. She had already demonstrated great faith and now he gave her a blessing of confirmation.
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MichaelJanuary 27, 2019
In this story and in many others related in scripture, the moral choice is clear. The challenge is mustering the faith and courage to do what we know we should. That is hard enough. But what about difficult choices where it is not clear? A spouse decides to attend another church after 15 years of struggle for reasons that seem morally clear to her. That is her choice. Do I stay fully active in my LDS church, separating myself from my wife with whom God declared to become one; while we worship separately? Or do I stay fully united with her and attend her meetings that teach (only occasionally) doctrine which I do not believe? Or do we hammer out some kind of a compromise wherein we attend one hour of my meetings and one hour of her meetings every week with neither of us being fully involved at either church? She wants to stop paying tithing and there goes my temple recommend or else face major marital discord. The ward leaders tell me to divorce her and find someone else if I desire glory in the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom and there are an excess of eligible unmarried and unsealed women my age in the church. Yet, I love my wife. I find that I like the music in her church more than the sermons in either one. An unexpected window into heaven is opened to me.That becomes a tender mercy for me. And what about the 5 children who are all different? No easy answers.
JeanJanuary 24, 2019
Through this experience Sariah's testimony was strengthened, and that's a good thing.
Arlene WelkerJanuary 24, 2019
I don't think there is anything wrong with murmuring and doubting sometimes. In very deep anguishing times I've let God have it. And I love him deeply, The Lord KNEW there would come a time when I would let Him have it. Can He take it if I doubt or complain? I think He can. I will not feel guilt because I ebb and flow in my emotions when life has slapped me pretty hard. Let's be careful not to let guilt, which we Latter Day Saints are good at, take us over because we murmur then rejoice. I think its ok. And in time, I'm sure we will improve and hopefully, learn to rejoice more and murmur less. Let's all calm down about these things. Not all of us will be Nephi's but we can try to be. We are grateful for his example.
MaryannJanuary 24, 2019
Let's give Sariah a break here, and remember how much She had sacrificed. This woman had given up her way of life and all that she had, and was actually living the law of consecration under very difficult circumstances. It might be beneficial to remember that Lehi did not chide or condemn her for voicing her fears and even grumbling against him. Instead he offered her the strength of his own faith and reassured her. "I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban.." And Nephi tells us: "..and after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, COMFORT my mother." I have wondered if perhaps one of the main reasons the Lord didn't have them get the plates of brass from Laban BEFORE they left on their journey was so that Sariah could have this experience of witnessing the Lord's protection of her sons. The Lord did not expect her to have a perfect faith. She had already demonstrated great faith and now he gave her a blessing of confirmation.
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