Sariah - The Wife of Lehi and Mother of Nephi

1 Nephi 5:2-3, 8  

"For she had supposed that we had perished in the wilderness; and she also had complained against my father, telling him that he was a visionary man; saying: Behold thou hast led us forth from the land of our inheritance, and my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness.  And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father...And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons, and delivered them out of the hands of Laban, and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak."

In the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ we learn very early on about Sariah.  There are several instances that show that she was a faithful, loving, patient, and strong woman.  Nephi, her son and prophet after his father Lehi, said that he had been "born of goodly parents" (1 Nephi 1:1).  She loved her children very much and when they were commanded by Heavenly Father through their father Lehi to return to Jerusalem to obtain the plates she supported that decision but was concerned for their safety.

The verses above show how much she loved them and worried about them during this absence.  She believed that as they returned to Jerusalem that they had died in the wilderness.  I'm sure that in her concern she imagined any number of deaths that she was sure had befallen her sons.  I am unsure how long they were gone but it was long enough that she began to talk against her husband.  She complained that he was a "visionary" man.  She probably resented his gift of visions although they were leading them to a better place and avoiding the destruction of Jerusalem.  

The situation that Sariah found herself in is not that different from what we encounter today.  Our children wander through a "wilderness" every day as they go to school, hang out with friends, go shopping, or attend church functions.  Our children are faced with dangers just as frightening and perilous as Sariah was concerned about.  In this moment of weakness we can see ourselves reflected in her.  How often have we second-guessed our spouse, a parent, or the leader of our church.  As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the leader of our church a prophet called by God to lead us.  Sometimes it is difficult to hear what he, the Apostles, and other leaders may teach us and we may "complain" about their guidance.  Sometimes this complaining isn't vocal but in our hearts.  This is just as loud and dangerous to our testimony than if we were to talk to someone about it.  

General Conference is coming up soon and it is an opportunity to learn from the leaders of our church the will of our Heavenly Father.  Will we have an open heart and be willing to do what He wants us to do or will we second guess their counsel?  Will we eventually come to the same understanding that she did in verse eight? "I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband...and protected my sons..and delivered them...given them power...[to]..accomplish the thing which the Lord hath commanded them."  I hope that when we find ourselves doubting the prophets that we can remember the example of Sariah and open ourselves to the lessons we are trying to be taught.  I think the lesson she was being taught was faith in the prophets, something I need to be reminded of periodically.  I am grateful for her example and that we have it to learn from.

Welcome!

I have taught Gospel Doctrine (Adult Sunday School) in my Ward (local church house of the LDS church) for the last year.  It has been interesting the trials I have faced as I have learned and then taught others about the scriptures.  Last year we focused on The New Testament and I was introduced to many women who have provided me strength and courage through some of these trials.  Over the past several months I have toyed with the idea of putting something together to help me and others to understand these glorious women but have not taken that first step.  After much prayer I have decided to start this process of raising an awareness of these women and their examples through this blog.  Not only will I attempt to discuss the scriptures that they are found in but I will also attempt to show how we can use their examples to provide us strength in our own trials and tribulations.

I am a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a Mormon) and therefore the scriptures I will use are our entire Standard Works, which includes The Holy Bible (King James Version), The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine & Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.  I will explore examples of women in these scriptures, both the good and bad.  I feel it important to learn about those who are named (ex:  Miriam & Sarah) and those who are unnamed (ex:  the women who fought over the child & the woman with an issue of blood).  I will jump around the scriptures instead of sticking with one until all the women are addressed.  For example, one week I may discuss Keturah and then the next week the mother of Mary and the week after that Emma Smith or Sarah.

If there is someone you are interested in learning about I encourage you to let me know.  I will do my best to answer any comments and questions I receive.  Look for updates to this blog on Sundays or Mondays.