Lessons Learned From Lot's Wife

Genesis 19:26 is the account of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt. I read the verse along with the Old Testament Student Manual (section 6-8) and it provided a lot more insights to that verse.

Here is some of what it says:

The account of Lot's wife being turned into a pillar of salt has puzzled many commentators. Was this event  a literal thing, or was it figurative? There are two indications in the scriptures that the phrase "looked back" was an idiomatic way of saying "she turned back" or "returned to Sodom." When warning the disciples of the destruction which was going to come upon Jerusalem, the Savior warned them to flee without delay, not even going into the house to get their possessions. Jesus said, "And he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:31-32). He then admonished them that he who seeks to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life will find it.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie paraphrased those verses in these words:
"Look not back to Sodom and the wealth and luxury you are leaving. Stay not in the burning house, in the hope of salvaging your treasures, lest the flame destroy you; but flee, flee to the mountains.
"Seek temporal things and lose eternal life; sacrifice the things of this life and gain eternal life."

The implication is that Lot's wife started back to Sodom, perhaps to save some possessions, and was caught in the destruction.

In the Doctrine and Covenants is a scripture that uses the same terminology as Genesis 19:26. After warning the Saints to flee spiritual Babylon, which is wickedness, the Lord says, "He that goeth, let him not look back lest sudden destruction shall come upon him" (D&C 133:15). Again, the implication is that of a return to wickedness.

 Questions to Ponder

When we try to find 'home' in our earthly possessions, we will never be happy and we will become lost. We will lose our lives. If, however, we lose ourselves in the service God asks us to do - whatever it may be - and not care for possessions we may have while here on earth, we will find our lives.

Here are some questions I have asked myself after learning more about this story, and invite you to ask yourself the same and have the Spirit guide you to whatever other questions you may need to ask.

If I were called to leave everything I owned behind and travel somewhere the Lord asked me to, would I?

If I did leave everything behind, would it be in faith or fear? (Nephi vs. Laman and Lemuel)

Would I miss the 'worldy' things?

Would I murmur?

How truly dedicated am I to the Gospel?

These have been good things for me to ponder and I hope for you as well!

The Gospel is so good! My favorite part in studying this section was the quote by Elder McConkie, "seek temporal things and lose eternal life; sacrifice the things of this life and gain eternal life."

Everything we own is truly God's. He is letting us borrow everything on this Earth to see how we will use it. Once we recognize this, I feel it would be easier to give it all back when God asks us to. /as a matter of fact He has asked for it all back. He has asked us to give him everything we have (which is so little) and He will give us everything He has (which is more than we can comprehend).

What a kind, loving, generous, perfect Heavenly Father we have - to which I am so grateful.