According to Adam Clarke, the idea of "Prepar[ing] . . . the way of the Lord," and "mak[ing] his paths straight" (Matthew 3:3; see also 1 Nephi 10:8 and Isaiah 40:3) is taken from the practice of eastern monarchs, who, whenever they entered upon an expedition, or took a journey through a desert country, sent harbingers before them, to prepare all things for their passage; and pioneers to open the passes, to level the ways, and to remove all impediments. [Adam Clarke, Clark's Commentary: Matthew-Revelation, p. 51]