Lehi's Intercession

1 Nephi 1:3-4 

For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.  

Historians estimate that this was referring to a time around 600 B.C.  At this time, Lehi was not described as being a prophet, himself.  But he heard the voices of many prophets, not just one, who were expressing to the Jerusalemites the great need to repent.  If not, their great city must be destroyed.

What were their great sins that needed repenting of?  Nephi did not take the time to explain specifics here, but he explains Lehi's reaction of praying as he went forth.  It does not sound like he entered his closet or even his bedroom here, but was out and about still, talking to the Lord with all his heart, in behalf – or in other words, in intercession – of his people.

I believe there is much we can do yet in coming to the Lord through the act of intercession, and not giving up hope for those we feel are in wicked paths.

Ironically Lehi did not run to the ecclesiastical leaders, enlisting their assistance in supporting the prophets who were rejected and mocked in 1 Nephi 1.  Nor did he rally other members to his aid.  He went straight to the Lord, en route to wherever he was going.

And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did quake and tremble exceedingly.  

And it came to pass that he returned to his own home at Jerusalem; and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit and the things which he had seen.  

And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision... -1 Nephi 1:6-8 (partial)

Our relationship with the Lord is not dependent upon our acceptance into a crowd of believers (or non-believers, what have you), who accept or reject our message or beliefs.  Additionally it is not dependent upon our acceptance into clubs, churches, or other mortal groups of like-minded thinkers who can kick you out, although these can give great comfort or feelings of acceptance with their paper-based membership records.  If we believe Lehi's experience with the Lord was real, then in the first eight verses of the Book of Mormon we are shown a very efficient narrative on how to know the Lord in real life.  Pour out your heart to him in intercession of another, and he will manifest himself to you in one way or another, whether it be through a pillar of fire, hands, energy or love through the veil, or face to face.  If we follow the pattern established through Lehi's example, one can see that this part is just the beginning of what might be experienced while yet in the flesh. 

1 Nephi 1:6 - a Pillar of Fire

Previously, Nephi's father, Lehi, had prayed for the people of his city, who had been warned to repent or be destroyed.  Lehi's prayed with all his heart for them.

1 Nephi 1:6

And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a ^apillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did ^bquake and tremble exceedingly.

 I find it interesting that the verse starts with pointing out that what Lehi was about to experience began as he prayed to the Lord.  It wasn't after the "amen", and he stood up refreshed to walk away like we do after most of our prayers.  It was during the prayer.  Deep in his thoughts, while accessing his emotional heart.  He was invested in this prayer.  It wasn't one he memorized, or knew by heart from hundreds of repeats. 

(photo source - beautiful artwork!)

So while Lehi prayed, there came a pillar of fire.  When reading the references (by clicking on the link for "pillar"), it's fascinating to read some suggestions for study.  In Exodous, it says that "...the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night..." (Ex. 13:21)  

Another reference seems to indicate a visit involving the presence of the LORD.  In D&C 29:12 it says that when the Lord returns, He will come in a pillar of fire, with his twelve apostles.  It makes me wonder if the pillar of fire that Lehi experienced also involved a personal visit from the Lord.

It's also interesting to note that in Exodous, the pillar of fire came "by night", while in the day, the Lord came in a pillar of a cloud.  Is there a difference?  Tonight I watched an outdoor movie at my kid's school.  It was notable that despite trying to start the movie at 7pm –while the sun was still up –no one could actually see the movie until the sun was completely down.  Perhaps the visual affects principles are the same.  Perhaps we could assume that Lehi's experience was at night?  Perhaps this also ties into the fact that scripture tells the Lord will come "as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2).  And maybe not.

Nephi writes that Lehi "saw and heard much".  Denver Snuffer writes in Nephi's Isaiah that he is utilizing the principle of veiling.  (He also discusses the significance of the "rock" upon which the pillar of fire dwelt upon.  I won't explore that here, but will refer back to his books.)  We are prohibited from seeing and hearing what Lehi saw and heard, but instead, like Nephi will show us later, invited to ask for ourselves.  We are told that these things caused Lehi to "quake and tremble exceedingly".  Has learning information ever caused you to have this kind of reaction?  It causes me to pause and consider if what he learned in this experience caused excitement or worry.  It's not just mild shaking.  It's quaking and trembling!  There is a difference!  Definitely a great opportunity here for all of us to ask God and find out if He would be willing to share with us what he shared with Lehi.  And why wouldn't He?  At this point, we know very little about the difference between ourselves and Lehi, such that we could easily be in the same shoes as he was.

Definitely a power packed verse.