Opposition

1 Nephi 18:11

And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness; nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he had spoken concerning the wicked.

Nephi was no stranger to persecution. Sadly, the persecutors were his own brothers. God knew Laman and Lemuel would be troublesome to both Lehi and Nephi. Why did He send such rebellious boys to Lehi and Sariah? Didn't the Lord know how much harder the family's escape from Jerusalem and voyage across the ocean would be because of these two recalcitrants? Of course, He did. That's exactly why He placed them in the family. The righteous needed opposition to strengthen their righteousness.

We see over and over that God permits bad things to happen to good people for a variety of reasons. I doubt that Nephi knew in the moment he was being lashed to the mast what good thing the Lord had in store for his family. In hindsight, as he wrote his history, he could look with perspective at his trials. Thus, we must sometimes endure hard things with the faith that the Lord is in charge and will turn all things to our good in His own due time.

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