Assumptions

Remember that picture book, “Seven Blind Mice”?

There are seven blind mice who each try to figure out what the large object in front of them is.

One feels the feet and thinks it’s a pillar, one feels the trunk and thinks it’s a snake, etc.

They all are accurate in their assessment of what they physically feel, and draw completely reasonable conclusions.

But they are all wrong.

It’s an elephant.

The Lamanites surrounding Limhi’s people had sworn an oath to not attack.
But then some of the Lamanites’ daughters were taken.

The people of Limhi had caused them trouble before. They weren’t happy in their current situation and didn’t like how much they were taxed.

So clearly, Limhi’s people were to blame for this horrendous crime.

The Lamanites went to battle to get their daughters back and show that they wouldn’t stand for this evil.

They fought like lions.

But they were wrong.

This is an essential lesson to learn here on earth:

While we do our best to draw accurate conclusions each day, there are many times when we are very wrong.

Your ministering sister who didn’t reach out to you when you were struggling has been dealing with anxiety and couldn’t find the mental energy to do anything.

Your Bishop who completely ignored you had just received some concerning news and was just trying to get through the meeting.

Your husband who didn’t load the dishwasher the correct way doesn’t know what your version of “correct” means.

We do our best to create the truth of what’s happening around us, but at the end of the day, we are often wrong in our assumptions of other people.

And other people are wrong about us.

Happiness and peace are found in letting go of the frustrating stories we tell ourselves when we don’t actually know the whole truth.

Happiness and peace are found when we let our anger go, and humble ourselves before Christ.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black