Minute Details

I noticed something funny about Alma 39 today while reading it with the family.

Corianton is the third son.

Helaman and Shiblon are his older (and by Alma's comments, "wiser") brothers.

Now you may wonder why that even matters, or why this is even noteworthy. It's definitely not a very astute observation. After all, it's clear from the context and the verses this is the case, and I've always known Corianton was young, and really it has nothing to do with Corianton at all, but with my own sensitivities and the way the Book of Mormon starts.

Laman was a first-born. Sure Lemuel was a close second, but they're really not known as Lemuelites. Laman pretty much receives most of the credit when it comes to much of the misery and misunderstanding in the Book of Mormon--a whole people is named after him. Nephi makes a big deal about this, and he's not off base to feel slighted. Considering the jewish tradition of birthright, Laman had certain responsibilities that he never lived up to.

Being the first-born, I've always kind of had a sort of unconscious/conscious dislike for that aspect of the Book of Mormon. Maybe it's due to some extrapolation or lecturizing a parent might have done, the insinuation that the first born can be a bad egg. Maybe it's just a sensitivity of personal weakness. But having read today, I realized that it's a stupid thing to be sensitive about one's position in family. Whether you're born first or last, and even when your dad's a prophet, there's no real garantee that your kids end up living up to or rejecting the Gospel. It's a matter of personal choice and so it is with Corianton.

Heck, Mosiah had four sons that were all bad, until an angel intervened.

I suppose it's a silly little thing, but somehow I do think it's of interest to note that there's no real significance in holding a grudge (or by contrast holding in favor) for any particular position in the family. We're all free to make and break choices...

--Ray