The story is told in the Old Testament in Numbers, Chapter 22, about a prophet named Balaam. The Children of Israel were nearing the land of Moab to take it from the Moabites, as part of their inheritance, as promised by the Lord. Balak, the King of Moab, was sore afraid as the Israelites “covered the face of the earth.” Balak having heard that a Prophet named Balaam had such influence that whom he blessed was blessed and whom he cursed was cursed. Balak sent messengers to Balaam and promised him money, cattle and great honor if he would curse the Israelites that he might drive them from his land. Balaam was told by the Lord not to curse Israel. Then he was offered more honor and greater riches, he had a hard time resisting and went with Balak three times trying to petition the Lord to curse Israel.
Not unlike Martin Harris’ request, when Martin kept insisting that Joseph petition the Lord to let him take the portion of the work that had been translated to show his family. It was apparent to both Joseph and Martin that the Lord was not in agreement with letting the translated pages out of Joseph’s hands.
Are we any different from Balaam or Martin Harris when we want something bad enough and feel it might be profitable to us or even bring us some kind of honor or recognition? Even though we know it may not be honest or appropriate, we tend to keep going back to it. The Holy Ghost may even whisper to us that it is not a good thing, but we may dismiss the prompting in favor of the profit.
This process of tempting the Lord came to be known among the children of Israel as the “Way of Balaam.” The Apostle Peter, speaking of such tempting and evil behavior, said they “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following ‘the way of Balaam,’ the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness: but was rebuked for his iniquity…These are wells without water.” (2 Peter 2:15–17) Peter’s comment that these were “Wells without water,” is a significant thought that we could well remem- ber when we tempt the Lord. I often marvel at the symbolism in the scriptures and at how things are tied together throughout all of the scriptures. The Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that (D&C 63:23)”…unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.”
We all face opposition within ourselves, from time to time, to seek the honors of men and the wages of unrighteousness as opposed to being faithful in keeping the commandments and knowing and abiding by the Lord’s will. We either seek the well of living water, or we pursue those wells without water. God bless us to have the spiritual strength to partake of the living waters and live.