Sariah's Story
Sariah is on the boat with her family to cross to the promised land. The boat is filled with her children and grandchildren.
It was a unique boat, built from the design of the Lord, but strong and sturdy, and I am sure it will carry us all to the Promised Land, across the great waters.
I was busy as we traveled on the ship, helping make meals for my family, and nursing my two youngest sons, Jacob, and Joseph, born in the wilderness while we traveled.
Everything was working wonderfully, the family was not fighting, and we were making steady progress towards the new land. Then the trouble started. First we all were singing and rejoicing in our progress, then some of the songs started to become rude and the dancing became vulgar.
Nephi, as the good man he is, stood up to his brothers, sister-in-laws, and the sons of Ishmael. He was frightened, as we all were, that the Lord would be angry with us, because of these sins. But Laman and Lemuel got angry with Nephi and were tired of their younger brother telling them again what to do. They tied Nephi up tight so he couldn't move. I was upset to see my sons fight and hurt each other yet again. I wish they would just follow the Lord.
After they tied Nephi up, our wonderful director or compass stopped working, and quit leading us the way we wanted to go, just as we all feared. Then a great storm arose, and we we tossed to and fro from the storm. For three days the wind and waves grew stronger and worse. I was sure we would be drowned in the sea. I knew we would surely die if they did not repent and untie Nephi.
No one was any longer allowed to ask Laman or Lemuel to free our son, Nephi, because of all the tears and asking and pleading of so many of us had worn on them and they said they had heard enough of our begging. I was worried for Nephi, his wrists and ankles were swollen exceedingly, and I was fearful.
The storm was so rough, and with the stress of the boys fighting, my husband and myself became very sick. I was sicker then I had ever been before in my life. I couldn't even feed my young children, and was worried about their survival as well. I was sure I would die along with my husband and children. I was sure we would all be buried in the sea.
As I laid on my death bed, I prayed with all my might that the Lord would help us, if he would please soften Laman's and Lemuel's heart. They had always been stubborn boys, and quick to anger. I knew praying for the storm to cease would not help our situation. I knew my boys needed to repent and soften their hearts. And so we prayed, not to change our circumstance, but to be strong through it and to soften their hearts.
On the forth day when I was sure we were at the end of our lives, the storm came to a sudden stop. The winds ceased to howl, and the waves ceased to beat our ship. Word came to us, Nephi had been untied and was now steering the ship! The boat changed course, and we were on our way to the promised land again, and we rejoiced!
References
My Pondering
I know the original scriptures were written by Nephi's point of view, but I couldn't help thinking about the women on the ship and how they would have felt as the storm raged and the winds howled. I included my extra narratives that are not scripture based in italics.
This story encouraged me to remember to weather the storm, but not to change it. Sometimes in my life I face storms and great trials and hardships beyond my control. I can not always calm the storm, but I can face the storm and I can have peace and a good attitude about it.
Nephi didn't pray that his bonds would be broken, or the storm would cease. He praised God the whole day long and did not murmur. What a great example! He knew his brothers needed to learn something. He knew this was all in the Lords hands, and the only thing he could do was keep up a good attitude.
I too pray that I would have to courage and the strength of Nephi, to weather the storm with praise in God, and to not murmur. As hard things come and go that my attitude will be like Nephi and I would feel peace, love, gratitude, and praise.
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