Sariah had been an obedient wife even though she had not yet received a spiritual witness of her husband’s mission. She had exercised her faith as a principle of action. With the feared loss of her sons, added to the adverse living conditions, she complained against her husband (v. 2). Sariah should not be judged too harshly for her reaction, most would sympathize with her under these conditions. She had passed one of her great tests when she left Jerusalem with her husband. It is reasonable to suppose that as God had foreordained Lehi for his great calling, this noble woman was also foreordained to stand at his side.
The elder sons had previously called their father a visionary man (2:11), now Sariah does the same. Lehi comforted her by bearing testimony that he had indeed seen visions, and he knew that the Lord would deliver his sons out of the hands of Laban (v. 5). Lehi knew that the course he was pursuing was the will of the Lord, and Sariah now received that same assurance. She had faith unto salvation (v. 8). In the spirit of worship and thanksgiving she joins Lehi to “offer sacrifice and burnt offerings” (v. 9). Before only Lehi had made the offering. (2:7). This was again another example of Sariah exercising faith as a principle of action.