Lehi receives the same message from both earthly messengers and from a Heavenly Messenger in the fist chapter of the Book of Mormon. Yet, the difference in his response to the two different messengers is remarkable. These earthly messengers are godly men - they are even prophets of the living God. As Lehi receives their message that Jerusalem will be destroyed, he is moved to pray and is filled with concern for his people. Then, when he receives a book from a heavenly messenger in vision and reads of the same destruction, this time he is filled with the Spirit and testifies of and praises the goodness and mercy of God (1 Nephi 1:11-15). This contrast highlights heaven's ability to communicate. Who can prophesy of destruction and overwhelm people with joy but heaven?! Lehi didn't question the message from the prophets, but when he got the same message from heaven it was filled with power and hope - it moved him forward.
The prophets hadn't failed though, they had fully accomplished their mission with him when Lehi prayed - they had sent Him to get it from God. What a great pattern! Nephi, following the same pattern, will gain great and personal knowledge from the God of heaven about His father's dream. As a parent and teacher I need to do all I can to convince people not to take my word for it - but to go to their Father in Heaven and get it from Him!
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