A Testimaony of My Very Own

As I read chapter 15 of 1st Nephi, I pondered again over Laman and Lemuel and their attitude towards their fathers, both earthly and heavenly. In this chapter, Nephi describes to his older brothers the meaning of the dream their father had about the tree of life. Nephi had gained an understanding of the dream after asking the Lord to enlighten him. In other words, he asked the Lord in faith and recieved his own witness and testimony that the things he had been told were true.

Laman and Lemuel, however, refused to ask the Lord. When Nephi asked them why they refused to inquire of the Lord, their reply was that, "the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us." They had no faith. Nephi's reply to their skeptisism was, "If ye will not harden your hearts and ask...in faith, beleiving that ye shall recieve, with dilligence in keeping (the) commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you." Yet, Laman and Lemuel did not ask.

Lehi's two oldest sons refused to gain a witness for themselves that the things their father told them were true. And, even though they were told the meaning of the dream, they still choose not to hold to the iron rod. These two men, even after being visited by an angel, raised by a prophet, and experiencing many other miracles, still strayed from the path.

After reading chapter 15, I think, in part, it might have been because they never gained a testimony of their own. They were taught what to do, but never asked to recieve a testimony of why they should be doing it. When we are younger, we all rely on the testimony of our parents or others, but that will only go so far. I am thankful for my testimony and that I was never afraid to ask for my own witness that the gospel is true.