Attitude

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." - Maya Angelou

On Sunday our lesson was about having an attitude of gratitude and being grateful for ALL things, even our trials. We talked about the importance of acting in faith, and spent a good amount of time talking about how attitude really does make all the difference.

One example that I haven't been able to stop thinking about is Laman and Lemuel, who are sons of Lehi and also Nephi's brother in the Book of Mormon. They were all commanded, including Sam, to travel to Jerusalem and obtain the brass plates from Laban. These brass plates were sooooo important! They included commandments, stories, and important records. As all four brothers traveled to Jerusalem, they ran into a bit of trouble, and Laman and Lemuel did nothing but murmur. They were frightened, wanted to give up, and thought the task was too hard. After a series of events, Nephi obtained the plates, and the brothers were headed back to their parents.

Nephi was also commanded by God to build a ship that would carry them to the promised land, and again Laman and Lemuel didn't want to help. They thought their brother was crazy, and they made fun of him. Nephi kept telling them, "You need to repent, and you need to help me!" Laman and Lemuel were so upset they wanted to throw him into the sea. They didn't really like their younger brother telling them what to do. After an event that led them to see that God was indeed with Nephi, they repented and began to help build this ship.

We always focus so much on the fact that Laman and Lemuel were complaining, and we usually leave it at that. "Okay, don't complain and don't murmur. Got it." We also always point out that they often didn't listen to what they should do, and a lot of times, they didn't! But in the end, did they not do it? They went to get the brass plates. They helped build the ship. The difference between Nephi and his wicked brothers? ATTITUDE. Ultimately, they did what they were supposed to, but NOT in the manner that they should have.

How many of us are the same way? We receive a prompting from the Spirit, or we know need to do something for our calling, and we only complain about it. Sometimes we think it should be someone else's job or responsibility. Time after time Heavenly Father has to humble us, and we finally get around to doing the things that we should. And yeah, in the end you did what you were supposed to, but was it the way you should have? Attitude really does make all the difference.

I know I want to be more like Nephi and be obedient firsthand. It's not always easy, and I often find myself mumbling and being like Laman and Lemuel. But....

May we all have an attitude of gratitude and be more positive and obedient, even in the every day things. We probably won't be commanded to build a ship, but we are commanded to love our neighbor, honor our parents, love God, keep the Sabbath Day holy, and many, many, many other things... and how are we responding? How are we acting? Like Laman and Lemuel or Nephi? God will always make it possible to do anything.

Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."