I do enjoy reading chapter by chapter to come up with simple summaries because it allows me to see more clearly the stories in the bigger context of where Lehi, Nephi and their people have been. This chapter strikes me now as one of conflict between those with faith in God and those without faith in God. I see also the pattern of learning on Lehi and Nephi's part as well as the stagnant nature of L&L's lifestyle.
So in this chapter I see three scenarios where these ideas are true. The first is a continuation from previous chapters where Nephi concludes his thoughts from when he was teaching his brethren about the vision of the tree. After teaching and exhorting them they do agree to be humble and repent and Nephi even says he has great hopes for them. I don't think we see that at other times.
Then, they continue their journey and Nephi breaks his bow. This is apparently a significant problem because the others have bows but those bows have lost their spring so they must have become quite dependent on Nephi. But I also believe that they got worked up over this problem and stopped trusting in the Lord and for that reason no one was able to get food. Nephi knows to trust in the Lord. So does Lehi for that matter, but Nephi ends up reminding everyone and takes proactive action to remedy the situation. Then Lehi asks the Lord and is brought to repentance for his bad attitude and lack of faith. This is when they learn that the Liahona will teach them in words that appear on the ball.
I also want to highlight that I think the two spindles in the Liahona were used one to point in a Northerly direction and the other the direction that they should go. They probably noticed that one always pointed in the same direction. Truly like a compass. Compasses always point North. The other would have pointed in the direction they should go which ended up being south by south-east. It's not really that important but it's fun and helpful to be able to picture this special magical device called the Liahona. Which in the end teaches us so much about our relationship with father and how he teaches us through the spirit.
Finally, while they were traveling they experienced another set back with the death of Ishmael. Whether they expected it or not it was a blow and Laman, Lemuel and others wanted to return to Jerusalem (as if that would prevent people from dying). Despite their lack of faith the Lord speaks unto them and they are chastened and humbled and repent. They are then able to continue on their way.
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1 Nephi 16:20 - "begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness..."
According to the parable of the sower (see Mark 4:6,17):, the heat of the sun has intensified and thus exposed those with little depth of earth. It is no surprise that Laman and Lemuel would be counted with this withering group; however, Lehi may be a bit of a surprise. There is no question that Lehi had, according to the parable, penetrated his roots deep into the soil - he had been the pillar for so long. Perhaps, symbolically, a subtle erosion of his soil had occurred over time revealing some of his roots and causing there to be little depth of earth. Truly, his murmuring manifests a type of withering of his plant.
The Lord warned the Saints of the Latter-days:
"But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also" (see D&C 20:32-34).
As was noted in the dream of Lehi, the river of filthy water "ran along, and it was near the tree" (see 1 Nephi 8:13). In other words, one does not have to get too far from the tree before sin and filth present themselves. In one sense, a man must begin anew, daily, to lay hold upon the rod of iron until they fall down at the foot of the tree. It seems that Lehi was on his way to the tree before the "mists of darkness," in the form of suffering and affliction, were thrust upon this family, shaking him briefly off the rod.
Along the same lines, perhaps the following comment by Harold B. Lee might apply: "That which you possess today in testimony will not be yours tomorrow unless you do something about it" (“Chapter 5: Walking in the Light of Testimony,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 37).
The journey which Nephi was able to make which Lehi may have been slothful in doing was to "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man" (ie. the natural man was manifested in the impatience unto murmuring) "and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord" (ie. partaking of the fruit of the tree), "and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father" (see Mosiah 3:19).
Had Nephi been able to "become a saint through the atonement" that morning, he would have been more likely to "submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him," including the waiting upon the Lord for food. Lehi may not have been as prepared that morning.
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