President Russell M. Nelson continually has taught us life lessons on how to survive spiritually, how to create positive spiritual momentum, how to be a peacemaker and most recently, how to “Think Celestial!” We have a Gospel Library full of resources on how to foster the work of the Prince of Peace. But what if there were a manual on how to stir up contention and anger? President Nelson teaches us that “those who foster contention are taking a page out of Satan’s playbook, whether they realize it or not.”
One of the chapters in this playbook might include a title like this: Life Lessons from Laman and Lemuel.
LESSON 1: BECOME SPIRITUALLY LAZY
Let these two brothers guide you as they respond to Nephi’s question of spiritual self reliance: “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” (1 Nephi 15:8). The response is a classic way to maintain spiritual starvation, “We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us” (v. 9). It kind of reminds me of Michelangelo’s painting in the Sistine Chapel where God reaches his whole arm to touch Adam’s barely extended finger.
LESSON 2: NURTURE ANGRY THOUGHTS BY SHARING THEM
Laman gives an expert example of this when he rallies his brother and the sons of Ishmael, plotting to murder his father and brother on several occasions. “And after this manner did my brother Laman stir up their hearts to anger” (1 Nephi 16:38). This eventually led to the separation of the family. Nephi records, “Now I do not write upon these plates all the words which they murmured against me. But it sufficeth me to say, that they did seek to take away my life.” (2 Nephi 5:4).
LESSON 3: NEVER HUMBLE YOURSELF UNLESS COMPELLED TO DO SO
This technique is a tried and true pattern of Laman and Lemuel. On multiple occasions someone had to stop them from acting in anger. They were persuaded only by excessive exhortation by their father or brother, pleading of their wives, an angel of the Lord or the very voice of the Lord to compel them to change course. Now that is commitment!
LESSON 4: HARDEN YOUR HEART
When you want to really dig in and be in control, the best approach is to be past empathy and harden your heart. You can then take action in appalling ways which a soft heart would not allow. “I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts” (1 Nephi 17:19). They were also well practiced in excessive rudeness (1 Nephi 18:9).
LESSON 5: MURMUR MORE AND REJECT THE FRUIT
What did complaining and criticizing do for the Murmur Brothers? It was the critical link between feeling anger and hatred and acting on it. On a daily basis it most likely helped them to feel a general dissatisfaction with their own lives. It caused contention in family relationships, led to verbal and physical abuse and contributed to further weakening of personal purpose and faith in God. Ultimately, this practice of doubt and limited vision resulted in fracturing family bonds and eventually ushered in a nation dwindling in unbelief. This nation was later referred to as a “filthy and loathsome people” (1 Nephi 12:23). All that from a little murmuring? That’s powerful stuff! How do we start?
Murmuring begins with allowing ourselves to nurture incorrect thinking patterns about ourselves and others forming our own skewed beliefs, opinions, and feelings. It could look like people whispering in low, soft, indistinct voices with shifty, vigilant, searching eyes, fearful of being overheard. But it can also be louder, bolder declarations, fueled by enabling, entitled communications. Murmuring helps grow and strengthen these warped convictions line upon line, here a little, there a little, until they take root like weeds choking the truth. In the Book of Mormon, we are taught this true principle “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). In the case of anti-peace practices, like murmuring, the great things that come to pass are hard and unyielding hearts that are past feeling.
A BETTER WAY
Why did they murmur when Nephi did not? “They did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them” (1 Nephi 2:12). Instead of nurturing and cultivating a personal relationship with their Father in Heaven, their thoughts were spent in rejecting, refusing and diminishing his great love for them. Nephi sought to know the mysteries of God, so he “did cry unto the Lord” (v. 16). He knew in Whom He trusted, which allowed him to withstand the persecutions of his brothers.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, shows the antidote to all of those Life Lessons recorded by those who will not partake of the fruit. He teaches us to come unto Him and come follow Him. He invites us to think, speak and act with kindness, gentleness and hearts full of love. He wants us to ask, “Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:22) and then do all in our power to repent and forgive. He asks us to promise to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort (Mosiah 18:9). He invites us to receive and rejoice in the great gifts of His love; the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and eternal life with Him. Did the Murmur Brothers know this? They must have known it. But did they really have eyes to see and ears to hear? No. They were focused on mourning for their life in Jerusalem and the hardships they had to bear leaving it all behind.
We all have wildernesses to cross and ships to build. Our own bows will break from time to time. Let’s learn from the Murmur Brothers how to see that opposition is required for the miracles and wonders to shine forth. Let us remember that God loves us and will deliver us to a promised land in His own timing. Along the way, we can choose darkness and spiritual death or light and life.
By Lori Rucker | Lake Toho Ward
St. Cloud Florida Stake Blog 