I have read the Book of Mormon multiple times in my life, but every time I read it different things stick out to me. This time around, as we read it for Come Follow Me, I was struck by the short phrase "my father dwelt in a tent." Then, I noticed Nephi mentions that more than once. I went back to look at all of the times he mentions it, and every time that he does it is after a profound experience Lehi and his family had with their Heavenly Father.
1 Nephi 2:15- after Lehi left his home with his family and wandered in the wilderness, he built an alter and offered sacrifice to Heavenly Father and thanked Him for all they had been given. This was also after Lehi spoke to his murmuring sons as he was filled with the spirit until "their frames did shake before him."
1 Nephi 9:1- after the vision of the tree of life
1 Nephi 10:16- after Lehi prophesies of the Jews, the coming of the Messiah, John the Baptist, and the scattering and gathering of Israel
1 Nephi 16:6- after Lehi prophesies of the Jews receiving the gospel in the latter days from the Gentiles, Nephi learned the meaning of the tree of life vision and gained his own testimony of it and then shared with his brothers, and as Lehi continued to teach his children
This shows me that some of Lehi's greatest visions, prophecies, and teaching moments as a father and the most spiritual experiences for his family were while he dwelt in a tent. He obviously had riches as Nephi mentions the gold and silver they leave behind that they later use to try to trade for the brass plates. They left all of that to wander in the wilderness just because that is what Heavenly Father told them to do. And in the wilderness, Lehi was to dwell in a tent. A tent with no silver or gold. A tent that I am sure got hot or cold sometimes. A tent that without a doubt was not as comfortable as their home back in Jerusalem. We all have moments in which we are figuratively dwelling in tents. At the moment, we are all on "shelter in place" orders. But, after over a week of working from home now I have had wonderful spiritual experiences as well. After a week of fear over my job and a constant cover of clouds and rain, a rainbow came out that seemed like it was just for me bringing with it peace and light is just one of many.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, "The necessity of the Lord's people fleeing...and taking refuge in the wilderness seems so often repeated...that perhaps it ought to be viewed as a prophetic type. Even the Savior fled association with all others for a wilderness respite prior to the commencement of his ministry. In a symbolic sense, all who would desire to number themselves among the children of God find it necessary to leave the refinements of the world and find refuge in the simplicity of what God created--be it a mountain top or a sacred grove." I would go as far to add 'or our individual homes' to that.As we wander through this viral wilderness and dwell/find refuge in our quarantine tents, here are some things to think about.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, "The necessity of the Lord's people fleeing...and taking refuge in the wilderness seems so often repeated...that perhaps it ought to be viewed as a prophetic type. Even the Savior fled association with all others for a wilderness respite prior to the commencement of his ministry. In a symbolic sense, all who would desire to number themselves among the children of God find it necessary to leave the refinements of the world and find refuge in the simplicity of what God created--be it a mountain top or a sacred grove." I would go as far to add 'or our individual homes' to that.As we wander through this viral wilderness and dwell/find refuge in our quarantine tents, here are some things to think about.
Family dinners are once again happening in families where they have not sat around a table all together in years.
Parents are gaining a new-found respect for their children's teachers.
There are real conversations between family and friends happening.
People are finding faith and beginning to pray for the first time in their lives or are rebuilding testimonies they have lost over the years.
We are working on building new relationships with those we minister to or those who may need our help in our wards.
People are venturing outside more to just enjoy nature and the beauty of it.
People are venturing outside more to just enjoy nature and the beauty of it.
People are reaching out to neighbors whether they know them or not to see if they need anything.
We are being given time to write in our journals, study the scriptures more fully, and pray for longer without as many interruptions.
We can have intimate sacrament meetings with our families which further invites the spirit into our homes.
We can listen to our beloved prophet and feel the love of our Savior as we get ready for General Conference and have already initiated home-centered church-supported gospel study in our homes.
All of this. We are doing all of this as we are wandering through this wilderness of bad news, fear, anxiety, and worry as this pandemic spreads throughout the world. We are doing all of this as we dwell in our "tents", find new ways to connect with our Savior and each other, and hope the toilet paper shortage and virus will soon come to an end.
