Ponderings

I've been reading Lehi's (and Nephi's) vision of the Tree of Life in the Book of Mormon lately. I've read it many times before and it has often struck me - as it did this time - that Nephi was not content merely to be told about his father's dream. He wanted to see it for himself! So, he prayed and pondered and exercised his faith and had a wonderful vision of his own. The faithless half of me has always accepted that because the vision is recorded in the scriptures for everyone to read, Heavenly Father has no reason to show it to anyone else. And yet, we have numerous examples from the scriptures of prophets who experienced similar visions. Indeed, I believe that the essence of the vision has been shown to every prophet throughout the ages. So this begs the question - if they can see it, why can't I???

Of course, I recognize that my weakness in faith is my stumbling block. I don't really have faith that the Lord will see fit to reveal his mysteries to ME. And yet, again the scriptures are filled with admonitions to "ask and ye shall receive," and promises that the Lord will reveal his mysteries to all those who are worthy and exercise sufficient faith. So, I can only conclude that the Lord is not only willing to show such visions to me, He is actually waiting for just such an opportunity. So, I read the vision in the scriptures and tell myself that someday I will see the same thing. I can't wait!

On a much sadder note: Andrew lost his dog yesterday. She bolted out the door my niece was unwittingly holding open yesterday evening. She does this every chance she gets, so it wasn't a huge shock. And we have learned from experience that trying to catch her or persuade her to come back before she is ready only makes her run faster and farther. And boy could she run!!! She was gone about 45 minutes when we got a call from my brother-in-law saying that she was laying on the side of the road a couple blocks from our house. She was dead. Poor Andrew!!! He sobbed most of the night and only fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. That dog was the bane of my existence and I do not especially mourn her loss. But, oh! How I mourn for my son. His poor ten-year-old heart is broken. And though I know that time will ease the pain and he will learn to laugh again, my heart aches for his present sorrow. Keep him in your prayers!