I have been away, so my study has suffered as a result. But, now I can get back into it :-)

Sarai was an amazing woman! I guess it was incredibly hard for her to give her handmaid, Hagar, to Abram as his wife, so that she could have the child/ren that she could not (Genesis 16). Can you imagine it? I can't, even if it were legally and culturally possible. According to D&C 132:34, "this was the law". It was to allow many other peoples to emerge.

Now, Hagar was not really appreciative of Sarai's sacrifice. When she gave birth to Ishmael, she despised Sarai. I really feel for Sarai. But again, I think that I feel badly for Hagar as well. She was the second wife, and that only so as to provide an heir. However, this did not justify her treating Sarai the way she did.

Poor old Sarai....she fell very badly because of Hagar's scorn. She complained to Abram, who told her "thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee." (Gen 16:6)

Sarai obviously gave Hagar a taste of her fury, because Hagar "fled from her face." (vs 6) She was found by a well by an angel, who informed her of the son she was carrying, and how he would be the foundation of the Arab nations. He also commanded her to return to, and submit herself to, Sarai. To her credit, she did this.

Hagar bore Ishmael, who would fulfil all that the angel told Hagar.