I love the opportunity to teach. I think I would call it discovery more than teaching, as I notice that “where two or three are gathered together in my name,…. there will I be in the midst of them.” (D&C 6:32). Having the spirit of the Lord in our midst when we discuss spiritual things has a synergistic effect on our understanding. I love those moments when I understand something more clearly than I ever have before. That understanding usually comes from discussions I have with others or as I read the scriptures myself, seeking to have the spirit teach me something that I did not yet know.
In our teaching and discussion, we can learn a great deal from the experience of others. Especially the examples we find in the scriptures. I try to find those examples as I read, and am rarely disappointed at the discoveries.
1st Nephi chapter 17 is a great example. Nephi is giving encouragement to his rebellious brothers—as he often did—to stop their murmuring and be faithful in following their father and the Lord’s commandments. His method for doing so is noteworthy. Starting in verse 23 we read:
23…I, Nephi, spake unto them, saying: Do ye believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel, would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord?
He reminds them of the details of Moses leading the children of Israel from bondage in verse 24, then he begins to show us his teaching pattern starting in verse 25. Notice the method he uses speaking to his brothers—and us.
25. Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must be a good thing for them, that they should be brought out of bondage.
26. Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.
27. But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharoah.
28. Yea, and ye also know that Moses by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.
Nephi is drawing on the knowledge that his brothers had been taught about the history of God and His faithfulness to His people. If Lehi’s family had not rehearsed these stories and been taught to believe them, none of this would have had any relevance to Laman and Lemuel at all.
Later in the same chapter, Nephi continues by drawing the correlation between their own travel across the wilderness and how it was very similar to Moses’ time. Then asks them to self reflect on their own experience and make the comparison as to how they have been responding to the Lord’s commandments. The implication becomes clear. Is the Lord going to treat us and our journey like He did the children of Israel? Are we going to be willing to follow the commandments to leave and go to a better land? Is our faith sufficient to endure the journey and receive the blessing?
He is trying to help them see themselves in the story of an unchanging God, who takes us from our homes (both good and bad sometimes) and leads us to another land. In this dispensation, the same happened to the pioneers. Those who were faithful had many struggles and received many blessings, including additional faith that likely could not come to them in any other way.
Nephi uses the history of his people to help his brothers understand how they should act to get the same blessings. The same is true for us today. We can (and often do) recount the stories of the blessings and hardships that accompanied the early pioneers as an example of how we should act when the Lord has us do difficult things to bolster our faith.
Here is the important part: if we do not know our history or the scripture stories, we do not have the resources to draw from those experiences. Lehi undoubtedly taught his children of these peoples. We must teach ours as well, if they are to have the necessary faith to draw on to strengthen them in their various journeys. It is important to note that Laman and Lemuel were temporarily persuaded, but later fell back to their sinful ways. Teaching does not always guarantee the outcome we would like to have with all of our children, but no teaching means that none of them will have the opportunity to choose to be obedient.
The larger metaphor for all of this is that life itself is our pioneer journey. We were taken from a Heavenly home to cross the wilderness (plains) of mortality. Those who seek the counsel of the Lord and obey his commandments are not guaranteed a smooth passage, but they are promised a level of faith that will ensure —through the struggles—that they will be given a land of promise. This, of course, means returning to our Heavenly home in the presence of God.
We are much better prepared and equipped for the journey if we are paying close attention to the experiences of others who have crossed the same wilderness (or others like it). We can learn a great deal from Moses and the children of Israel, from Lehi and his family, and from Mormon pioneers in our generation. Even from the faithful in our own lives who have shown great faith and resilience in the midst of trial. Sometimes there is a lack of provisions, terrible conditions and a host of potential problems. But as we stay close to the counsel we receive from the Lord, we will reach the desired destination, even if we lose our earthly life in the journey.
So, what do you know? Is it enough to draw on to keep you faithful as you cross the wilderness? Is the experience of others sufficient to give you direction and hope in the journey?
I’m reminded of the words of the great poet Rudyard Kipling in his famous work “Recessional” from 1897, written about a time of conflict and difficulty.
The second verse has always been my favorite, and gives me a clear reminder of how we should consider our blessings and triumphs and never forget the hand of the Lord. It goes like this:
The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!
I hope I can continue to know the things I need to know and remember in order to make the journey, and that I will never forget.
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Jerry is the author of “Partners with God, Using His Teachings and Example to Raise Our Kids” and has been a guest speaker at numerous gatherings, firesides and organization events, as well as working as a facilitator for individual families.
Jerry and his wife Melanie are the parents of 12 children and currently have 13 grandchildren.