Lessons for Our Day from the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. Four

The Oneness of Lehi and Sariah is an Example for All, Especially Married Couples

“Oneness” is an essential doctrine in the gospel of Jesus Christ – The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are “one God” (Mormon 7:7). The Prophet Joseph Smith explained: “And he being the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fullness of the glory of the Father, possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit, that bears record of the Father and the Son, and these three are one….the Father and the Son possessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power, and fullness…” (Lectures on Faith 5:2).

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially husbands and wives, are to be one together and with the Lord, and in this way they can be one with the Father – The Prophet Joseph continued: “As the Son partakes of the fullness of the Father through the Spirit, so the saints are, by the same Spirit, to be partaker of the same fullness, to enjoy the same glory; for as the Father and the Son are one, so, in like manner, the saints are to be one in them. Through the love of the Father, the mediation of Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, they are to be heirs of God, and joint heir with Jesus Christ” (Lectures on Faith 5:3).

The oneness of Lehi and Saraih is a great example for all married couples – Sometimes when the Book of Mormon speaks of Lehi it certainly includes Sariah. This was the case with Adam and Eve. We are told that God “blessed them (Adam and Eve), and called their name Adam…” (Moses 6:9, parenthesis mine). Today, when people speak of the Lunts they mean both Larry and Susan. When we think of Lehi and his faith, we should also remember Sariah and her faith. Like Lehi, Sariah was obedient and willing to sacrifice. Consider the following from the Book of Mormon:

“And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. And it came to pass that (Lehi and Sariah) were obedient unto the word of the Lord, and wherefore (Lehi and Sariah) did as the Lord commanded (them). And it came to pass that (Lehi and Sariah) departed into the wilderness. And (they) left (their) house, and the land of (their) inheritance, and (their) gold, and (their) silver, and (their) precious things, and took nothing with (them), save it were (their) family, and provisions, and tents, and departed unto the wilderness” (1 Nephi 2:2-4, parentheses and explanation is mine).

Lehi and Sariah experienced joy during their eight hard years in the wilderness because they were one – It took exceedingly great faith for Sariah to leave her home in Jerusalem and go with Lehi into the wilderness. She had not personally seen visions, but she acted in faith. And when her faith was tested concerning the welfare of her sons in returning to Jerusalem to get the brass plates, Lehi comforted her.

When their sons returned with the brass plates, Lehi and Sariah responded as one, and “their joy was full, and my mother was comforted. And she spake, saying: Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness; yea, and I also know of a surety that the Lord hath protected my sons….and given them power whereby they could accomplish the thing the Lord hath commanded them. And after this manner of language did she speak. (Sariah’s faith had become knowledge)

“And it came to pass that (Lehi and Sariah) did rejoice exceedingly, and did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and (Lehi and Sariah) gave thanks unto the God of Israel” (1 Nephi 5:1-9, parentheses and emphasis are mine).

Obtaining the brass plates is an example of the oneness of Lehi and Sariah. Others include:

- They both partook of the fruit of the tree Lehi saw in vision. (See 1 Nephi 8:12-16)
- They both followed the directions of the Liahona into the wilderness. (See 1 Nephi 16:9-16)
- They both boarded the ship and suffered much on the voyage. (See 1 Nephi 18:6, 17-19) Lehi and Sariah certainly rejoiced together when they arrived in the promised land.
- With the help of each other, Lehi and Sariah did what was required of them. If we are one, especially with our spouse, we also can do what is required and experience joy even in the hard time of our lives.

Testimony – It touches me whenever I read the Lord’s Intercessory Prayer. In the last hours of His mortal life He prayed for oneness with the Father, with Him, with His Apostles and with all of us:

- “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
- “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
- “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
- “And the glory thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
- “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:11, 20-23).

Released on January 28th, 2024.