After Nephi and his brothers retrieved the brass plates, Lehi was commanded to send them back to Jerusalem to get the family of a man named Ishmael. The Lord commanded that Ishmael should come with Lehi's family so that Lehi's sons and Ishmael's daughters could marry. I think that it would be hard to convince Ishmael. Imagine: "Ishmael, you need to bring your family with us so that we can marry your daughters and live in the desert."
I don't know what they said to Ishmael, but I think the key lays in the phrase, "we did gain favor in the sight of Ishmael." I find that impressive. Ishmael saw by the character of Nephi and his brothers that he could trust them. The story continues, "the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household, insomuch that they took their journey with us down into the wilderness."
Is my character such that I could convince someone with no proof but my word? Is your character that strong?
I think if you live righteously and have the Holy Ghost than you do have character like Nephi. It was Nephi's character AND the Lord that convinced Ishmael and his family to go. Therefore, if you live righteously others will see that and trust you AND the Holy Ghost will help you convince others just as it "did soften the heart of Ishmael, and also his household..."
ReplyDeleteActually, this reminds me of something.
ReplyDeleteBefore I served my mission, I was visiting with some friends in Utah. A friend of theirs had just come home from his mission, and had an open house after his homecoming. I went with my friends, but ended up staying later than any of them. I kept trying to leave, but every time I did, one of the family members would tell me I couldn't go. I ended up being invited to stay for dinner.
I decided I ought to help out somehow, so I made the mashed potatoes. At one point while the food was being served, the father of this family talked to me while we were alone in the kitchen, and told me how impressed he was that I would be willing to help, and that it was okay with him if I dated one of his daughters after my mission. That completely blew me away. But in a way, it's a lot like Nephi and Ishmael.
I think we can assume Ishmael was a righteous man. He was able to recognize the spirit Nephi carried, and was open to guidance from the Lord. Just like Ishmael, if we are open to guidance from the spirit, it doesn't matter if we're being told to talk to someone or if we're being told to go into the wilderness. You do what the Lord wants you to do, and you are blessed for it.