Lehi's Trial

I have my own theory about Lehi's murmuring which occurred when Nephi's bow was broken.  You remember how everyone murmured and complained when they were suffering for want of food.  And we're always a little disappointed that even Lehi is in the midst of this complaining.  Then after Nephi had made a new bow he went to Lehi to learn where to go to hunt.

1 Nephi 16:25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly ^achastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.

Now, if you will go with me to 2 Nephi 3:1, we will read the words of Lehi to his son Joseph many years later:  And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my ^alast-born. Thou wast born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee.

Note the use of the word "sorrow" in both verses.  Lehi was in the depths of sorrow because of his lack of faith and his murmuring, and later he recalls that as being his greatest sorrow.  But what was going on besides the loss of a bow and great hunger?  Sariah was giving birth to her 2nd son born in the wilderness.  (We don't know when the daughters were born).  Can you imagine Lehi's concern and worry about his small children, and especially a wife giving birth in a time of possible starvation?  

I say it's time to cut Lehi some slack and have compassion on his concern for his family.  This also relates to my post from yesterday about times when the Lord gives us a commandment, and then seems intent on making it difficult for us to complete that commandment.  Lehi was probably thinking, "I've been faithful in doing everything You asked of me, but my family is starving!  Why are You making it so difficult for us to go to this promised land?"

The answer, of course, is faith in the Lord's love for us.  Even trials and suffering, as much as we hate to think about it, are for our good and will bring us blessings.  If we remember that He loves us and wants what's best for us, we can work with faith to fashion a new bow, and rely on Him to show us where the food can be found.