A VISIONARY MAN

 

It is not easy being a visionary man. Things of the spirit such a man is privy to is difficult to make others see and believe. Lehi from the Book of Mormon is proof of this. His rebellious sons used this description of their father in an accusatory manner (1 Nephi 2:11). Even his wife joined in using this title for her husband with negative connotations after a prolonged absence of her sons who were attempting to secure the brass plates.

I don’t know if Sarai was reluctant to see her sons return to Jerusalem that they had fled from but it would seem her nerves got the better of her and she accused her husband of leading the family into the wilderness to die, because he was ‘a visionary man’ (1 Nephi 5:2). Lehi’s answer was classic. He basically said to her: “I know I am a visionary man and thank goodness for that because now I am able to preserve my family in a land of promise.” (1 Nephi 5:5)

I thought of Joseph and Mary, as I re-visited Lehi’s story this week, and wondered if their flight in the middle of the night to Egypt was not only for protection from Herod but also from possible pressure of their families who would not understand why Joseph was taking them all the way to Egypt or if they would have been dissuaded by unbelievers or stopped in some way (Matthew 2:13,14). When Lehi's family fled from Jerusalem they also told no one (Hugh Nibley, "An Approach to the Book of Mormon", p 139).

Maybe Joseph never told anyone else but Mary of his visits by an angel for fear he might be called ‘a visionary man’ and his actions become discredited. How could he tell a wayward people of the visits he was having from angels? Nobody believed in angels anymore (see Bruce R. McConkie, “The Mortal Messiah Book 1, p 322).  

Imagine if he failed to act because someone well meaning in the family aborted the whole flight to Egypt and the plan failed. Imagine the remorse and feelings of failure in his appointed guardianship. But Joseph was a visionary man and an obedient man.

And now on to us. There is a scripture in the book of Joel which says that the Lord will pour out His spirit in the last days ‘upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions’ (Joel 2:28).  

And now the warning: “Remember that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit…for it is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet.” (D&C 63:64; JST Matthew 7:10)

If you are a ‘visionary man or woman’ hold your pearls close to your heart and be careful who you show them to. In this too we can turn to Mary who ‘kept all these things and pondered them in her heart’ (Luke 2:19)….and I might add, ‘cherished’ them…..

Your truth pierces my soul

And binds me to Your loving heart.

Your sacred teaching moments

Find my hungry mind

And feed me like a bird in flight.

My faith is laid at Your feet

And I, I come to you Father

Clutching these riches

that are only mine to keep.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Young Prince in Egypt by Rose Datoc Dall)