Lehi and his descendants followed the law of Moses, including offering sacrifices. Book of Mormon prophets used that practice to teach their people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to encourage them to live a consecrated life.
Abraham and the Posterity Priority
All of God's promises to Abraham are about family. He promised Abraham land so his descendants would have a home. He promised Abraham the priesthood so that his descendants could bless all the families of the earth. Family is central to God's plan for the happiness of His children.
They Without Us
The author of Hebrews taught that our ancestors can't be made perfect without us, and Joseph Smith added that we can't be made perfect without them. Jesus told the people at Bountiful that His joy was full as He saw their faith. Perfect joy is relational.
Seed
After studying the brass plates, Lehi's thoughts turned to his "seed." His invitation to Ishmael and his tree of life dream were both related to this focus. Like Lehi, we can think about the impact of our current decisions on future generations.
Scripture Searching
When Lehi received the brass plates, "He did search them from the beginning." We don't always have to know what we're looking for. Often, the best question is simply, "What does God want me to learn from the scriptures today?"
Dreams and Visions
The prophet Joel foretold a time when people of all ages and economic statuses would receive revelation in abundance: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my... Continue Reading →
The Song of the Sea: Gratitude Builds Faith
Many times in the Book of Mormon, people offer thanks and praise to God after receiving a blessing. For example: The family of Lehi "did rejoice exceedingly" and offered sacrifice to God when the sons returned safely from Jerusalem with the brass plates (1 Nephi 5:9-10). They did the same after the sons returned with... Continue Reading →
Manasseh and Ephraim
After Joseph became a ruler in Egypt, he married and had two sons. Their names represent two aspects of his Egyptian experience: Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה) means "causing to forget." Joseph explained the name: "God...hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house" (Genesis 41:51). He was no longer plagued with the memory of... Continue Reading →
“Iron Hath Entered His Soul”
Lehi told his son Jacob, who had "suffered afflictions and much sorrow," that God would "consecrate [his] afflictions for [his] gain" (2 Nephi 2:2-3). Lehi had learned from the example of one of his ancestors that negative experiences could result in positive outcomes: Lehi...was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son... Continue Reading →
The Sons of Jacob
Jacob had twelve sons. Each of them was unique, with his own strengths and weaknesses. In the Genesis narrative, as each son is born, we learn not only their name but also the significance of the name to Rachel or Leah (Genesis 29:32-35, Genesis 30:1-24, Genesis 35:18). Some of these boys were their literal children,... Continue Reading →