1 Nephi 2

(January 4, 2014)
We condemn Laman and Lemuel, but I think we deny how difficult things must have been for them at this point.  They lived a life of relative comfort and security, and here their father has a vision and drags them out on what must have felt like the worst camping trip of all time to them.  They did not have the spiritual confirmation that Nephi had of their father’s words – they had only the assertions of a man the world around them decried as mad.

So I can understand their reluctance at this point.  Perhaps we can’t excuse it, but it is understandable.  After all, Sam initially is in the same spot – he doesn’t believe, but is converted by Nephi’s teachings.  Where Laman and Lemuel go wrong is not entirely in their initial reluctance to believe, but rather their unwillingness to be converted when subsequent facts come to their attention.  They take the position that they were right and Lehi was wrong (which probably made sense to them, and was at least arguable).  Then, out of pride I suppose, they hold to that position even after seeing an angel and Nephi demonstrating his power and finding the Liahona and everything else that goes on.

If we have difficulty believing (as, I suppose, we each will from time to time), then that is one thing.  But what we cannot do is follow Laman and Lemuel’s path and harden ourselves in such a way that we are incapable of believing even after the Lord has reached out to us to show us He is there.