Lehi's Vision & Journey into the Wilderness
Book of Mormon Insights
The very first witness of the Lord in the Book of Mormon takes shapes and models after the one Moses experienced. Although, there are similarities between these two appearances of the Lord, grave distances likewise exist. For instance, when the pillar of fire appeared with the children of Israel during their exodus and expulsion from Egypt to the promise land, they knew that when they saw the pillar of fire that the Lord was them. This story would have been well understood and read by Lehi.
Thus, when the Pillar of Fire appeared before him without mistake he knew it was the Lord, and that he was with him as did the children of Israel. The appearance of the Lord came as Lehi’ prayed. It wasn’t after or before but, during his prayer. The scriptures note the following: “As he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock.” The pattern of revelation and prayer is moreover established within the first few verses of the Book of Mormon. Although, revelation occurs in many forms for Lehi it was during his heartfelt, sincere prayer unto the Lord. Likewise, Joseph Smiths first occurrence with the Lord was similar to that of Lehi. In his own words, Joseph Smith describes his experience as follows.
After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. […] I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
Joseph uses a pillar of light instead of fire to describe his experience with the Lord. Nonetheless, the two accounts are very similar in nature and principle. The Lord who is the light of the world, appears unto mortal men, who truthfully, diligently, and whole heartedly seek him out. Prayer is the key which unlocks the door to the Lord. Those who find it and use as Lehi and Joseph did experience revelation! Revelation is the key to the Lords Church. Revelation is the rock upon which Christ builds his church and establishes a people. Thus, there is no coincidence here that the Lord appeared unto Lehi upon the rock. For it would be this defining moment that took place that would ultimately shape an entire nation, people, and destiny. And how was this great land, people, and nation established? Upon revelation! Which is the rock of his church.
One of the key defining elements of the Lord Jesus Christ is Mercy. Mercy according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary 1828 is defined as follows:
That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.
In the opening verses of the Book of Mormon we see elements of the Lords mercy towards his children whom would become the Nephites. Although, not explicably stated, those who read with eyes to see and ears to hear will see the Lords infinite mercy outstretched to Lehi and his family. After finishing is prayer and visitation with the Lord which, was symbolic to that of Moses and the children of Israel, the Lord gave unto Lehi a Book
A book of scripture which contained many stories, teachings, and revelations, the story of Moses and the Children of Israel, were one such. Moses and the children of Israel were given the ten commandments engraved upon stone tablets. Lehi and his family were given the word of the Lord engraved upon plates of Brass. The Lords word would fill Lehi with the spirit insomuch that his desire to fulfill his will only grew stronger. Lehi by way and help of the Lord would take his family and depart into the wilderness as did the Children of Israel. Lehi was fleeing Jerusalem and the Moses fleeing Egypt with his family the Children of Israel.
Both Moses and Lehi prophesied and stood up boldly against false prophets, incorrect subordinations, and wickedness. They stood up against those evils and boldly cried repentance unto a wicked generation. Now, because both Lehi and Moses fulfilled this call from the Lord, they were extended mercy and grace from the Lord. That mercy was the key ingredient in not only strengthening them to fulfill their mission but, in preparing the way for their deliverance. It is only by grace that strength and deliverance can come to Gods children and in the words of Nephi make them mighty!
Equally Lehi and Moses and were mighty men if you study their history and personal stories. They weren’t mighty to begin with but, as they learned to draw closer to the Lord and access his enabling power they eventually became mighty. The Lord would have all of his children become mighty in word, action, faith, deed, and in our ministries. Understanding the atonement, his grace, mercy, and love is the key in becoming mighty men like unto Lehi and Moses. There are many among us who are good men, great men, and then mighty men. It is the Lords desire for all of his children to “become mighty even unto the power of deliverance.”