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I just started reading the Book of Mormon again.
In 1 Nephi 5:8 we are privileged to hear the testimony of one of the bravest people in the Book of Mormon.
"...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...."
I think there are several great lessons we can glean from valiant Sariah.
(1) Because Sariah states that she "now" has a "surety" that God asked them to flee Jerusalem, this leads me to believe that she did not have that said surety when they left. So, she packed up her family and deserted all she knew to support her husband. What an amazing example of faith and love for her partner.
(2) Sariah's testimony is now glowing bright, but she had to go through some rough times to get that testimony. Leave her home, her family, her friends. Trek through a dangerous wilderness without the comforts she was used to. Live with the thought that her 4 sons had all been killed. Is this likely the pattern each of us needs to follow to experience the fruits of the gospel? Will we each have to pass through our own wilderness before we can get our sure witness? Are we willing to suffer to get to the prize?
(3) In verse 2 of chapter 5 Sariah seems certain that "my sons are no more, and we perish in the wilderness." She is flooded with doubt. How could Lehi possibly be a prophet if this is happening? How many of us have felt the same kind of doubts about God and his church? How did Sariah react when the doubt threatened to overcome her? Sure, Sariah complained a little bit (1 Nephi 5:2-3), but she stayed put. She didn't cut and run when things got dicey. Are we willing to do the same?
Thank you for your testimony Sariah.
