1 Nephi 5:3 - 5:7

1 Nephi 5:3 And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father.

These reasons and some others I’m sure were on her mind as she complained against her husband. Wonder what was the reaction of Lehi. He might have had some doubts in his own mind.

1 Nephi 5:4 And it had come to pass that my father spake unto her, saying: I know that I am a visionary man; for if I had not seen the things of God in a vision I should not have known the goodness of God, but had tarried at Jerusalem, and had perished with my brethren.

Lehi responded to his wife by smiling and agreeing with her on her assessment of his character. But he testifies to her of the validity of his visions and the mercy of the Lord to warm him to leave before it was to late.

I assume that Lehi was a spiritual person and may have been ridiculed behind his back for his attitudes by at least the two oldest sons. It is amazing to me that the sons went with him into the desert to an uncertain future.

But the family was supreme and what the father said was law. The punishment, I think, was banishment from the family. If you were not associated with a family, the other members of the community probably look down on you as an outcast.

1 Nephi 5:5 But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness.

Lehi further testifies that he has been promised to be steered to a special land to make up for his losses. In addition, Lehi tried to comfort his wife by telling her that it was the direct command of the Lord to carry out this mission. And it only seems reasonable that the Lord would preserve them and help them to carry it out.

1 Nephi 5:6 And after this manner of language did my father, Lehi, comfort my mother, Sariah, concerning us, while we journeyed in the wilderness up to the land of Jerusalem, to obtain the record of the Jews.

By this reasoning, Lehi tried to increase Sariah’s confidence in the Lord and in Lehi’s testimony while the boys were away.

1 Nephi 5:7 And when we had returned to the tent of my father, behold their joy was full, and my mother was comforted.

When the boys return safe to their camp, then was Sariah really comforted. I wonder if Lehi’s words really did as much to alleviate Sariah’s fears as did the return of her sons? Sometimes it’s actions that mean something not words.