23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?
If this experience is to be compared to something spiritual,
everything needs to represent something. If we compare this experience to the
Tree of Life dream, for example, the bow could equal the rod of iron. Without
the bow and arrow, they could not obtain food; without the iron rod they cound
not get to the Tree of Life. Just like holding to the rod is a voluntary act
showing initiative to obtain the fruit of God’s love, making the bow is a
voluntary act requiring initiative, and making it possible to obtain food.
Because of our agency, initiative is an important component in returning to
Heavenly Father. It insures that only those who want to return actually do
return. It takes effort to make and keep covenants with our Heavenly Father,
and although He loves all His children, only those who make and keep covenants
will have a chance of truly becoming like Him. Just wanting it isn’t quite
enough, as described in Matthew 7:21–23.
The second significant part of this verse is what Nephi does
after he makes the bow and arrow. He asked his father where he should go to
find food. What an expression of humility and obedience! Whether you take it
from the standpoint of honoring his parent, or looking to the prophet for
direction, it’s significant because Lehi had been one of the complainers (vs.
20), but he was still in charge. This also teaches that all of our initiative
will only take us so far. We still need to look to the prophet as the Lord’s
mouthpiece, and therefore the source of spiritual nourishment and direction.
It’s also important to note how this show of confidence helped Lehi repent and
turn to the Lord again.
- D&C 28:6–7
