Wilderness

There are many accounts in the scriptures where the Lord requires his people to travel through the "Wilderness." In the Old Testament the Lord freed the Children of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. Once freed from their captors the Lord had them wander through the wilderness for 40 years. Shortly after being freed from Egypt the Children of Israel began to murmur saying, "Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger." (Exodus 16:2-3). The Lord heard their murmurings and provided the Children of Israel food in the form of Manna. However, the Lord gave conditions for the Children of Israel on how and when to collect the manna. As long as they followed the counsel of the Lord given through the mouth of Moses they were fed. If they did not obey the commandments given by the Lord the manna "...Bred worms, and stank." (Exodus 16:20). At one point the Lord chastened the Children of Israel by sending "Fierry Serpents" down to infect them, once the Children of Israel were sick and dying all they had to do was look at a staff to be healed but because of the simpleness of the task many would not look and died. The Children of Israel by no means had it easy traveling through the wilderness but the Lord did provide them with food, water, and directions while they wandered. In fact, it is while they were in the wilderness that they received the ten commandments.

We also learn of a family in the Book of Mormon who the Lord commanded to journey through the wilderness. This was the family of Lehi. The Lord prepared them prior to leaving by telling them what seeds and provisions to take with them before they left Jerusalem. The family begins to travel through the wilderness and, over time, many of this family also murmur.  They had endured many afflictions while in the wilderness including child birth. Over the eight years it took for them to travel to the Land of Bountiful by the sea they suffered enough that some thought it would have been better to die than to wade through this affliction. Although there were great afflictions, Lehi's family was also blessed during their travels. The Lord provided them with the Liahona to guide them like a compass while they journeyed (1 Nephi 16:10). As long as they obeyed the Lord the Liahona would guide them. They were also visited by angels during their trek.They were also blessed with food and water while they continued on.

Even the Lord, Jesus Christ, journeyed through the wilderness. Immediately following his baptism from John the Baptist Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. While in the wilderness he was tempted by Satan. He was also ministered to by angles. It was after his experiences in the wilderness that he began to teach the gospel. 

These are but a few examples of people and groups that the Lord has required to travel through the wilderness. There are many more that could be told. So how does this apply to your life and my life?

The wilderness is a representation of a difficult path in life. Sometimes we are asked by the Lord to leave our "city" or in other words our comfort zone. The Lord does not give us all the details just that we need to act and that he will help us along the way. He prompts us on how to prepare and then expects us to begin our decent into the wilderness. As we wander, there will be trials some of which may make us think that we went the wrong way that we should have stayed in our "city." We may feel like we are being left to starve in a barren and unforgiving land but the Lord has promised that He WILL lead us and show us the way if we are faithful to his commandments. He will provide us the things that we need. He has promised that if we are faithful He will guide us to the promised land.

So when you are in a trial and feel like you are going to break perhaps ask yourself am I keeping the Lord's commandments? Am I relying on the Lord through regular prayer and scripture study? Am I murmuring against the Lord or am I trusting in him? Let the Lord guide you and eventually you will look back and you will clearly see how and why the Lord made you pass through the trials of the wilderness. 

About Principles To Ponder

This blog was set up to help me have more purpose when studying my scriptures/gospel topics. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The comments that I share are not meant to be regarded as church doctrine (although I try to stick with the doctrine) but rather they are my own opinions. Therefore, if I say anything that is contradictory to that doctrine I advise you to follow the official stance of the church. I hope you find the points and principles that I bring up to be uplifting and faith promoting. Enjoy!