Of a Surety-Finding the key Helaman 9:1-5

Helaman 9: 1-5

Yesterday, my daughter lost her keys at the wedding reception. After looking for close to an hour and with dusk closing around us, we decided that we would have to accept that we would not (at this time) find them. LanguageLady, however would not give up and kept searching in the dark, questioning herself and others as to where they might have gone? It would have proved to be an expensive lesson if she would have had to replace the keys... to her car, to her apartment, to her bike, etc. She desperately needed to find them. She needed to know where to look.

After we had done all we could, it was decided by her father that we should have a family prayer. So we gathered in a circle in the lawn and offered thanks for all of our "evidences", and for one another's help. Then we asked for help in finding the keys. When the prayer-circle broke a few of us suggested (per an answer) that they keys must have gone home (inadvertently) in a box carried by a grandmother. There was nothing to do, but wait for sunlight and have faith.

Sometimes we look around at our life, we consider our friends, our position in life, our possessions, and our roles in others lives... and we want to know that what we are doing is right. We want to have a sure knowledge. We want to know where to find the keys that will help us "operate" our lives.

God has given us 5 physical senses to help us find our way physically through life. In searching for my daughter's keys we used "vision"(we looked), "touch" (she remembered when she last held them), taste (she was carrying a platter of food when she last held the keys), and smell (she thought she placed them underneath the crab apple tree). I used my sense of hearing as I recalled speaking to my son upon leaving the car with her next to my side. All of these senses did not help us find the keys. We needed something more.

God has also given us spiritual senses that help us find the "surety" we seek. These spiritual senses require us to look first to God, listen to his prophets, give heed to His Holy spirit, and taste of his joy. These spiritual senses are the key to us finding our surety. Physically we will all have our challenges, our labels, our blind spots. Spiritually we need not have any handicaps. Spiritually we can rely on the strength of God and know "of a surety".

There were 5 who were sent to "look" at Nephi's evidence. These 5 declared they did not believe. These 5 were going to take a look-see, all the while believing they would disprove Nephi. Why? Because they knew what they knew physically and it was all they could comprehend. Nephi presented a case for evidence ("non physical" or spiritual). Their minds could only comprehend the science of reason. They knew nothing of spiritual faith.

My daughter called this afternoon replete with joy. During her trial of the "lost keys", she had not cried out in anguish. Nor had she lost her temper. She had not gone to anger, or accusation, but she had relied on faith. Her keys were found and her faith in God found the sureness of a spiritual realm that her physical body could not give her. They had in deed gone home in the wrong box. A few phone calls, a few more prayers, and a an exercise of faith brought them home and renewed her "surety" in God's love for her.

God sends us prophets so that someone will always have the "keys" to heaven. His prophets know not only where to find these keys, but how, when and where to use them. And most importantly the prophets teach us truths that show us how to find and use the keys of truth within us.

Words and Phrases

vs 1 ran to the judgement seat - these men ran to see if what Nephi spoke was true. How often do we run to God to see if what he says is true? Do we ever doubt the admonishments of our prophets? Do we put to test what he asks of us? These men were going to the physical judgment seat to see tangible evidence. We can take our "evidence" to our "judgement seat" when we look, listen, and hearken to the love that God extends to us.

vs 2 we will know of a surety - These men expected to have their questions answered by physical evidence. When they went they did not consider what might occur to them if indeed what they found was exactly what Nephi said. Why? They were thinking with their physical senses. They were about to face a spiritual witness. They went with the intention of disproving Nephi thinking there was no way he could know. Sometimes we don't know what we don't know.

vs 2 - then we will believe that the other words are true - Their faith is immature, weak, and must rely on a very basic foundation. They can not accept one evidence without another to confirm it. God works in two's. He requires that all of his witnesses occur in two's. Two missionaries. Two leaders, Two prayers (opening and closing). Two Testaments (Old and New Testament) Two Sticks.. (Judea and Ephraim) Two sexes (male and female) etc. It is not unreasonable that someone so unbelieving would require two pieces of evidence.

vs 3 ran in their might - When we want to know something, to find something, to understand something of importance to us, do we not run in our might? Do we not seek to know with earnest? These 5 did run in their might ( strength) to know right. How wonderful it would be if we all could run as these 5 to understand God's truth in our lives.

vs 4 they were astonished exceedingly -

Astonished - stunned, bewildered, dismayed... Their intellectual self could not comprehend what their spiritual self witnessed to them. Their spirits knew the truth. Their minds could not comprehend it. Remember they went with an unbelieving heart thinking they knew more than Nephi. They went with an arrogant attitude that they were right and Nephi was wrong. So great was their spiritual astonishment that it "knocked them to the ground" and they lost all physical strength.

vs 5 when they saw they believed - a moment of truth. Spiritually they recognized the truth. The physical sense caught up with the spiritual senses and they knew. They knew that if this were true then everything else this prophet had told them was also true. They knew that they were no longer unaccountable (because of their knowledge) and they began to fear for their choices, their fate, and the changes that their new faith would bring.

Sariah finds.. joy with a language of faith.

1 Nephi 5 :1-9

Sariah....We have heard Nephi's point of view. We know how Nephi and Lamen's view were not compatible. But what about their mother? How does she figure into this? What kind of faith did she have? We know from 1 Nephi 1:1 That she was a goodly parent. We know that she followed Lehi. Here in the first 8 verses of chapter 5 we learn that she had faith.

I wonder how I would react? How would I treat my husband if he sent my only sons to face a man of Laban's power. How would I feel? As women, we often allow our feelings to cloud our judgment. Emotion, however and the ability to reach others through the understanding of feelings is what makes women strong. Its the glue that softens hearts. I love being a woman. I love being able to teach with a spirit of goodness and an element of love.

Don't you believe that Sariah's anxiety was motivated from her love. Just because our faith is not the same as men does not mean it is not as strong.

Words and phrases

my mother Sariah was exceedingly glad (vs 1) - Why did Nephi say that Lehi was filled with joy but Sariah was glad? I have often seperated the two.. joy and gladness. Joy (to me) relates more to the spiritual realm. Gladness connotes relief. And we know that she felt relief from her mourning. It's important to remember that this is a son's perspective. Would another sister have described it differently?

for she had supposed (vs 2) Okay.. maybe she was a bit anxious. I have been anxious and when I let my anxiety get the best of me, I am led to suppose, to assume, to predict, and to let my imagination get the best of me. I don't think it is a good thing to be "supposing". Indeed when we inspect what Sariah was busy supposing, all of it was negative. Supposing then does not go hand in hand with faith.

we perish...( vs 2) What was driving Sariah's fears? Her own survival. She was left alone with an older man. Albeit a spiritually strong man, but when you are in the wilderness you need physical strength. Sariah's fears had become selfish concerns that she let get the best of her. I wonder how often I complain against my husband or the Lord when I allow selfish concerns to overcome my faith and lead me to despair?

my father spake unto her (vs 4) Lehi.. was in a spot. No doubt he was in hot water with his wife. How did he respond? He confronted her. He agreed with her. He refuted her fears. You are right... Sariah. I am a visionary man and because I am so.. I know of God's goodness.

the carrot...Honey don't forget we have a promise of a land. We have the Lord's promise that he will protect not only us but also our sons.

This must have been a very trying experience for both mother and father. But I can see that having gone through it, they are then able to move forward with faith. Knowing that God truly was with them, and this was a mission for them to embark on with all their family.

after this manner of language (vs 6) Lehi is a prophet. I didn't hear malice, anger, or contempt in his voice as he spoke to Sariah. In stead I heard compassion, a moment of teaching, and a call to remember faith. Let's see... says he's a prophet, works like a prophet, acts like a prophet, speaks like a prophet. Must be a prophet.

their joy was full (vs 7) Here is the catch. It was in verse 1 that we learned that Lehi had joy and Sariah had gladness. Now with the trial of their faith complete... we see both having joy. Sariah only had gladness. When she discovered the true understanding of faith and God's love for her and her family, she found joy. Again I have always understood joy to emanate from spiritual emotions. Gladness comes from physical relief. It was only after her spiritual understanding grew that she found comfort in her joy.

she spake with a surety (vs 8) - so she had doubted Lehi. She had gone along with the plan. The Lord must have known this would happen. I always wondered why when Lehi left Jerusalem he didn't remember to get the plates then? It surely would have been much easier. I believe that he needed to give Sariah time to pause and comprehend all that was taking place. As a woman, this journey was going to require a great deal. No fire, no comforts, no place to give birth, no medical care, no friends to run to. She was alone with her husbands and her sons. I don't ever remember their being mention of her having daughters. Someone correct me if I am wrong. With al of the emotion behind her, her mind clears and she can see the Lord's love "with a surety".

after this manner of language... vs 8) She changed her tone. She changed her words. She changed her language from one of doubt to one of faith and purpose. I have been like Sariah. I have had a language of doubt and scorn. I have cursed and murmured when I have not understood. I hope that I can learn like Sariah to change me language to one of faith.

What does a language of faith sound like? Reverent, quiet, contemplative, reassuring, faithful, sure, obedient. Caring, loving and diligent in all things.

Verse 9 tells us that Lehi's family continued with their language of faith through rejoicing, sacrifice, burnt offerings, giving thanks.

I want to sacrifice and give thanks unto my God and learn to check my tongue and use a language of faith.