"Lots" of Lessons

Two things I want never to forget when I think of Lot and his wife: 

1) The direction in which you pitch your tent really does matter. 

I am impressed by Lot's ability to still make righteous choices despite his conscious decision to face his tent door directly towards the terribly wicked city of Sodom. Living righteously in a wicked world is no doubt an achievement worthy of mention. However, did Lot realize the spiritual limits that he had placed on himself when he set his sights partially on Sodom instead of having his "eye single to the glory of God?" Did this short sightedness prevent him from seeing the effects that raising his children in this state would have in later years? 

In Ezekiel 16, it is revealed that Sodom was not only plagued by immorality (as is so clearly stated in Genesis), but also by "pride, fulness of bread, and [an] abundance of idleness (vs. 49)." Sounds to me like they had plenty of money, an abundance of food, and that they wasted a lot of time seeking pleasure instead of serving others. Wait... is this scripture about the people of Sodom, or about current day America? When I read this verse written thousands of years ago, I feel I may as well be reading the headlines in today's newspaper.

We learn when reading in 2 Peter Chapter 2 that despite Lot's description as a "just" man, his choice to live in Sodom forced him to be constantly "vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked" (vs. 7). Lot may have thought himself strong enough... are we not, after all, to shine as lights upon a hill to those who are struggling? To be in the world, but not of the world? I think it's interesting to note that Abraham, although also surrounded by wicked cities, consciously pitched his tent towards Beth-el ("the house of God"). The Lord knew Lot's tent door placement could prove to be his Achilles heel were he not given a dramatic opportunity to choose a better path, so the Lord sent a messenger to warn Lot of impending destruction. Note that when Lot was commanded by God's messengers to "escape to the mountain" (also a symbol often used in the scriptures to represent the House of God, the temple, a place that provides perspective) (Genesis 19:17), the messenger did not say "so you can be saved from physical destruction," although certainly this would be part of the blessing coming from obedience. The messenger told them to go to the mountain  "lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city" (vs. 15). So the real danger Lot was in was the potential he had for becoming "consumed" in the things of the world instead of allowing himself to be filled by the things of God. 

Here is where we see one of the major differences between the righteous Lot and the valiant Abraham. When commanded to sacrifice his son, Abraham surely grieved, but did not hesitate to obey God's commands. He trusted in God's promises and perspective and recognized his own human limitations when it came to the eternal scheme of things. Lot, however, when commanded to flee to the mountain with his family, hesitates. From the mouth of this righteous man come the words, "Please God, I recognize that you have been very good to me and am grateful that you have saved my life..." only to be followed by this admission of spiritual weakness: "But... please don't make me take my family to the mountain. Please let us stay here in this small city instead." 

For whatever reason, he just couldn't go that far. Is it possible he was tired? His life had been full of trials- the premature death of his father, the contentious separation from a beloved uncle, the worry that he must have felt trying to constantly protect not only his visitors, but his daughters from the vulgar and violent nature of his own neighbors... not to mention the recent revelation that his home, property, and all he had ever worked for was about the be destroyed. Perhaps he less worried about himself than he was about the condition of his wife, who I'm sure had expressed her own doubts and fears ever prior to her infamous "turning back." Could her faith, weakened by such devastating and impending losses, remain strong enough to carry her to the mountain? Or would that push her too far? Both Lot and his wife were painfully aware that their children and grandchildren were back in Sodom. How could they bear to travel any further without them? Maybe if they could just stay close. Was there a chance their married children would change their minds and join them before the city was destroyed? 

Were their hearts heavy with the realization that had they pitched their tent another direction years ago, that perhaps those children would never have chosen to stay behind in the first place? 

Lesson one from Lot and his wife: It matters in which direction you pitch your tent, so pitch it towards the temple.

2) Remember Lot's wife... and do so with compassion

In so many articles, Lot's wife is criticized for her selfish desires, her worldly obsessions, her willingness to give up everything just for a little look. But we sum up this poor woman's character based on only a handful of words ever spoken of her: "But his wife looked back... and she became a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26). To be honest, I think we've dealt with Lot's wife quite unjustly. Knowing that she was the wife of a righteous man, that she surely had close associations with the prophet Abraham, that she had more than likely participated in the religious ceremonies associated with her husband's calling in the Priesthood, and most of all that she was not only a woman, but a mother, should tell us a great deal about the more admirable characteristics she could have possessed. Is it not possible that Lot's wife may have cared little for her nice dining set or her fancy robes, but that her heart may have been absolutely torn by the reality that she would never she several of her children and grandchildren again? Isn't it the nature of a woman to feel responsible for the saving of her children and the protection of her grandchildren? Like a chicken with hens, would she not likely have been willing to sacrifice her own life in an attempt for one last pleading conversation, for the chance that she might be able to protect her innocent grandchildren from any devastating blows? 

Knowing this is a very likely possibility, I believe we need to remember Lot's wife with compassion. 

However, the Savior still did say "Remember Lot's wife" not only as a eulogy, but as a warning. I believe the details of Lot's wife's character may have been left out intentionally, so as to not take away from the truth of the situation. That is, that obedience is greater than sacrifice, that faith in the Lord's plan for you and your children is essential to the commandment to lose your life in this one, so you can find your life in the next. In direct contrast, the Bible then tells the story of Abraham and the Lord's commandment to sacrifice his son. Would this not produce similar feelings to those of Lot's wife? Devastation, confusion at the Lord's request, a desire to bargain for just a little more time, the temptation to question to Lord's promises regarding eternal families despite our testimony that the Lord has never once not kept a promise before. Yet, Abraham did not hesitate like Lot and he did not turn back like Lot's wife. He was determined that despite a depth of grief beyond description, that the Lord would keep His promises, and that perfect obedience to the Lord's commandments is what would save him and his house. Elder Holland states in this way, "So a more theological way to talk about Lot’s wife is to say that she did not have faith. She doubted the Lord’s ability to give her something better than she already had. Apparently, she thought that nothing that lay ahead could possibly be as good as what she was leaving behind." And is that not understandable?? And yet, the commandment and the promise are still the same: If you are obedient, you will be blessed beyond measure. The challenge of mortality then is to see if we will choose to be obedient, no matter the cost. Are we willing to give some things so we can receive everything?