Cover image via Gospel Media Library.

As our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson has given us much counsel and direction over the last five years. Everything ranging from seeking revelation to vaccinations. The latter being a hot topic of dispute which will not be debated in this article. What I wish to discuss is the association of following our Prophet’s counsel with staying on the covenant path and enduring to the end, thus being “all in”. So, I ask, is just following the prophet really enough to be “all in”? (For an expanded definition of “all in”, see Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s October 2021 Conference talk “The Greatest Possession”)

As I contemplated this question, I envisioned sitting across from President Nelson; and as I gazed into his soft, kind, blue eyes, I asked him if following the prophet is really enough to be “all in”. Instead of giving me the yes or no answer I desired, President Nelson, gently took my hands in his, and in a tender tone counseled me to turn to the scriptures, study this particular topic, and seek a divine answer to my question, just as he has often done in his General Conference addresses.

Literally, right after I wrote the above paragraph, I paused to have breakfast and read my daily chapter of the Book of Mormon which I do in consecutive order. Well, here is the first verse I read, words from the Savior himself:

“And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called . . . he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants . . .” (3 Nephi 12:1)

I wasn’t surprised by this, for I often find what I seek in my daily reading. I was, however, filled with greater love and gratitude toward the Savior, as this stood as reminder that He is listening. And where it may seem I received my yes or no answer as desired, I knew this was the tip of the legendary iceberg; the foundation upon which to build my topic study. So, to further glean the principles to practice being “all in” and its broader meaning, I felt the early chapters of the Book of Mormon, which focus on the family of Lehi and Sariah, seemed to be a good place to begin.

Sariah Becoming “All In”

Reflecting on 1 Nephi chapter 5, I witnessed a major shift in Sariah. I love this chapter. It is the only chapter that focuses on Sariah in a personal manner, and is the chapter when Sariah becomes “all in”.

In the first few verses, Sariah is struggling with the decision of sending her sons back to Jerusalem to face Laban. She must have known he was a disagreeable, powerful, influential man, who had the ability and temperament to slay her sons. So far, Sariah has been faithful in following her husband, Lehi, and trusting in his dreams and prophesies. But in 1 Nephi 5 verse 2, believing her sons are dead, which in this case is not a far-fetched notion, Sariah begins to complain to Lehi, “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 this wilderness.” (1 Nephi 5:2)

Lehi seeks to console Sariah. He confirms he is “a visionary man” and explains if he “had not seen the things of God in a vision”, he would “have not known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem and perished with [his] brethren.” (1 Nephi 5:4)

Lastly, Lehi testifies to Sariah that he rejoices that he has “obtained a land of promise”, and knows “that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.” This seems to comfort Sariah and she takes Lehi’s prophetic words, to heart. (1 Nephi 5:5)

I suspect Sariah had been seeking her own witness about this journey and had not received it. When her sons return, Sariah states she is “all in”.

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. (1 Nephi 5:8)

Sariah now knows this journey is a commandment from the Lord; the Lord commanded them to flee. The Lord would protect and deliver them as he had their sons. The Lord would give them power to accomplish this demanding and dangerous assignment. This gives Sariah the confidence they would obtain the promised land while those in Jerusalem would face destruction and captivity as Lehi prophesied. She would follow her prophet husband, because Sariah knew the Lord was the one instructing him.

Family Members Choosing Whether to Become “All In”

Before this point in the story, I could see that Lehi was already “all in”. This was evident from his actions in the earlier chapters of 1 Nephi.  But prior to Sariah’s shift from belief to knowledge, Sariah and her children followed Lehi, the family patriarch and prophet, leaving their homeland, and all they have behind except the necessary provisions for a lengthy journey. Certainly, Lehi shared the dreams & visions the Lord sent him, and the reasons why the Lord gave him the commandment to leave, such as his pending murder and the destruction of Jerusalem. Although they all followed Lehi, it is clear they were not “all in”. (see 1 Nephi 2, 1 Nephi 7:13-14)

Nephi and Sam Becoming All In

From what I could tell, the first to become “all in” were Nephi and Sam. Nephi “having great desires to know the mysteries of God . . . did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit. And it came to pass that he believed in my words.” (1 Nephi 2:16-17)

Soon after Nephi gains his witness that his father’s words are true, I think it is brilliant how Lehi clarifies that the Lord is the one doing the commanding, not him. This is seen when Lehi explains to Nephi he had received a new perilous assignment from the Lord:

Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness. And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. (1 Nephi 3:4-5)

Laman and Lemuel Stand Apart

The murmuring brothers, on the other-hand, have not received any of their father’s words as prophetic. Laman and Lemuel clearly are following Lehi grudgingly. Their attitude seems to be that their father wasn’t a prophet being commanded of the Lord; “he was a visionary man” with “foolish imaginations of his heart” that caused them to leave their comfortable life behind for pure misery in the wilderness. They didn’t believe Lehi or the prophets “that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed”. Nor would they “hearken unto [Nephi’s] words . . . because of the hardness of their hearts.” (1 Nephi 2:11,13,18)

Have you ever tried to admonish siblings, especially older ones? Nephi continually reminds, teaches, and admonishes his older brothers. Neither he nor the Holy Ghost were successful in softening their hearts. When Laman and Lemuel claim that “the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us,” (1 Nephi 15:7-9), Nephi responds, “Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.” (1 Nephi 15:10-11)

This theme with Laman and Lemuel continued throughout their journey and beyond. Angels, storms, deliverance, knowledge of prophecies fulfilled, the miraculous appearance & use of the Liahona, and even the voice of the Lord could not fully persuade them. Why? “Because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.” (1 Nephi 2:12) And perhaps they “sought to do wickedly in the days of [their] probation”. (1 Nephi 10:21, also see 1 Nephi 16:37-39; 17:44-46)

For when Nephi explained the meaning of their father’s dream of the Tree of Life at their request, Laman and Lemuel “said unto me: ‘Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.’ . . . And I said unto them . . . ‘And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.’” (1 Nephi 16:1-3)

The Daughters of Sariah and Lehi Who Were Intertwined With Ishmael’s Family

The connection between Ishmael’s family and Lehi’s always had me wondering. Was there more of a reason than Ishmael’s many daughters to bring them to the promised land? Who was Ishmael and why would he listen to these young men? I do realize “the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael”, but there seemed to be more; a previous bonding of the two families. Perhaps comments from Erastus Snow in the Journal of Discourses and Latter-day Saint scholar Daniel H. Ludlow may shed light on the relationship of these two families:

Erastus Snow noted, “The Prophet Joseph informed us that the record of Lehi, was contained on the 116 pages that were first translated and subsequently stolen, and of which an abridgment is given us in the first Book of Nephi, which is the record of Nephi individually, he himself being of the lineage of Manasseh; but that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim, and that his sons married into Lehis family, and Lehi’s sons married Ishmael’s daughters…” (Journal of Discourses, 23:184.)

Daniel H. Ludlow further explained, “The words that Ishmael’s ‘sons married into Lehi’s family’ would seem to indicate that the two sons of Ishmael (1 Nephi 7:6) were married to Lehi’s daughters and thus to two of the sisters of Nephi.

This means on the trek from Jerusalem down to Lehi’s tent in the wilderness Nephi’s sisters who married two of Ishmael’s sons rebelled against him, siding with Laman and Lemuel. (1 Nephi 7:6) They did a similar thing on the ship crossing the seas, (1 Nephi 18:17) and when they arrived in the promised land. They seemed to be inclined to follow Laman, Lemuel, and their husbands.

Jacob, Joseph, and The Other Daughters of Lehi and Sariah Hearken to Nephi’s Words

Nephi writes “that the Lord did warn me, that I, Nephi, should depart from them and flee into the wilderness, and all those who would go with me. Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words. (2 Nephi 5:5-6)

According to some Latter-day Saint scholars, the sisters mentioned in 2 Nephi 5:6, were likely different sisters. Although we do not know much about them, we do know they “believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken” to the Prophet Nephi’s words. (2 Nephi 5:6)

I find the account of Lehi’s blessing to Jacob fascinating and powerful. Although Jacob is young, he already “knowest the greatness of God”. Lehi continues to tell him that his “soul shall be blessed, and thou shalt dwell safely with thy brother, Nephi; and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God.” (2 Nephi 2:2-3) Jacob seems to also have been given the gift of seership, and that his his calling and election are made sure as Lehi utters these words:

I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men. And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh. . . (2 Nephi 2:3-4)

Lehi’s blessing to his youngest son, Joseph, is different. In prelude to Joseph’s blessing, his father teaches all of his sons the principles of the gospel in simple, direct terms. At the end of the blessing Lehi acknowledges Joseph is “little”, then counsels him to “hearken unto the words of thy brother, Nephi, and it shall be done unto thee even according to the words which I have spoken.”

Later, it is clear Joseph follows Lehi’s counsel. In Jacob 1:18-19, Jacob states he “and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi. And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.”

Does Becoming “All In” Protect Us From Falling?

Is It Possible to Fall After Being “All In”?

I believe most of us have had moments of great spiritual rejuvenation. At the same time, the opposite is true. Even Lehi, the patriarch and prophet, “did murmur against the Lord” when his family was starving; for it caused “their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness” to be great. (1 Nephi 16:20)

No one is immune from Satan’s influence and temptations,” Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated. “Do not be so proud to think that you are beyond the adversary’s influence. Be watchful that you do not fall prey to his deceptions. Stay close to the Lord through daily scripture study and daily prayer. We cannot afford to sit back and take our salvation for granted. We must be anxiously engaged our whole lives. (Wirthlin, Joseph B. “Press On.” October 2004 General Conference.)

So, what do we do when we falter or see our loved ones murmuring against the Lord? Nephi explained, “they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.” That is not all he did; Nephi also took action. He had constructed a bow and arrow to prepare to hunt. Then sought direction from his father. This is when Lehi “did inquire of the Lord” and “the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow. (1Nephi 16:21-25; also see 2 Nephi 1:24)

What happens when we are overcome? Follow Nephi’s words as he grieves about being “encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

“My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.” (2 Nephi 4:17-21, 35)

Through a latter-day prophet’s words, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin teaches us enduring to the end is a principle for all.

A few weeks before President Heber J. Grant passed away, one of the Brethren went to visit him in his home. Before the man left, President Grant prayed, ‘O God, bless me that I shall not lose my testimony and keep faithful to the end!’ Can you imagine President Grant, one of the great prophets of the Restoration, the President of the Church for nearly 27 years, praying that he would keep faithful to the end? (Wirthlin, Joseph B. “Press On.” October 2004 General Conference.)

Conclusion

President Nelson, thank you for consistently encouraging me to seek my own answers. I have barely begun to study the topic in question. Yet, in these few chapters of the Book of Mormon I can see patterns evolving and principles to practice. I can’t wait to see what else I learn about this timely and important subject from the prophets of ancient times as well as in the latter-days. Following your counsel and the prophets before you give me perfect direction, and convinces me the counsel you gave in the April 2018 General Conference is intertwined with becoming “all in”.

[I]n coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. (Nelson, Russell M. “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”. April 2018 General Conference. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/)

I do so love the words of all the prophets, whether past or present, and hope to live by them. I believe Nephi’s final words sum it up.

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. (2 Nephi 33:10-11)