Laman and Lemuel

Today I read 1 Nephi 17. Back in January when I was preparing to move down to Alabama, I made a comment in my journal after reading 1 Nephi 2 that as hard as I tried to be like Nephi, I was often only left to compare myself to Laman or Lemuel due to my unhappiness at my circumstances and my constant complaining about the way things had to be.

Today as I read about Nephi talking to his older brothers I was again struck by the singular oddity that are Laman and Lemuel. These 2 men, had daily divine manifestations for over 8 years, they survived quite comfortably on a diet that consisted of only raw meat, they had seen an angel, they heard the voice of the Lord, their "guide" was a brass ball with writing that would mysteriously appear and disappear on it. And still they fell away. And still when asked to help build a ship they mocked Nephi and refused to help. The only people that I think are more ridiculous in their blatant stupidity towards all things spiritual were the Israelites of Moses' day. To my knowledge only they surpassed all other groups in daily divine manifestations and only they were more unrighteous in the face of so many miracles.

And yet I often wonder how many of us would react the same way. Many of us have seen many miracles in our lives, things we know for a fact could not have happened save the Lord willed it so. I myself feel lucky to be alive on at least 2 occasions that come to mind and give all credit to the Lord of my making it out of those situations alive. And yet I struggle to keep certain commandments just like everyone else does. I know the Lord lives and watches over us, and still I murmur over the small things such as having to sell a couch instead of move it down to Alabama. Suddenly the unfaithfulness of Laman and Lemuel do not seem so far fetched and outrageous and it becomes Nephi who seems unrealistic and hard to understand how he could be that way. But the fact of the matter is, it takes work to be like Nephi and Sam. It takes daily work to remember to follow ALL the commandments and to be humble and not complain about your situation and to not kick against the pricks. Just as it takes daily work to maintain any other good, healthy habit.

Now, Laman and Lemuel were extraordinary in several ways. They did indeed taking being recalcitrant to an art form and I do believe that almost all of us if we were to receive daily reminders like they for 8 years that we would have been more willing and quick to remember the Lord our God. And of course, they were murderers in their hearts. In the scriptures they attempted and failed to kill Nephi no less than 5 times. So we can all take solace that while we may not be perfect, we are not nearly as bad as those 2 men. And as we strive to become more like Nephi, Sam, Jacob or Joseph, we will become more like them. Spiritual "muscle" is just like a physical one, the more you use it and "flex" it, the stronger it becomes. Have faith and we'll make it. :) Until tomorrow.