Liahona

Every child in the LDS faith can tell you the story of the Book of Mormon Prophet Lehi. How he was commanded to leave Jerusalem with his family because it was going to be destroyed.

"And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness." - Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 2:4

Now this scripture may not jump out with spiritual profoundness to anyone, but today while I was in Priesthood it really stood out to me. I realized that this scripture is very much a metaphor for each and every one of us as children of our Heavenly Father. Like Lehi and his family, we left our home (the premortal life) because we were asked by God to. God presented us with the opportunity to have eternal increase, to go to the land of Bountiful where we would have everything we ever desired and more. But first we were to go into the wilderness to prove ourselves; to be tested. In the wilderness we experience challenges such as sickness, death, sadness, disappointment, heartache, etc. At times we feel like we want to go back to the comforts of home because life just gets too hard. We feel alone. It is important for us to remember that we are not alone. Like Lehi we also have our family, our provisions (the scriptures), and we have a Liahona (the Prophet, our own patriarchal blessing). 

This scripture stuck out as another testament to me that I was supposed to have the trials that I do. Being gay is hard. Especially as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... but I can do it. I accepted this trial and Heavenly Father has provided the provisions that I need to get through the wilderness to the land of Bountiful. 

I recall another scripture later on in 2 Nephi 33:3

"But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry."

Like Nephi I frequently find mine eyes watering my pillow at night, crying unto God in faith. Like Nephi, I too can testify that God will and does hear my cry. I am never alone.

Cheers,
GMSW