1 Nephi 7:6-16 Yearning for the Flesh Pots of Egypt

Laman and Lemuel and those that side with them desire to return to Jerusalem as Israel desired to return to the "flesh pots" of Egypt.  Nephi reminds them of the Lord's past instructions and goodness towards them, and strives to encourage them to faith by stating "The Lord is able to do all things according to His will, for the children of men, if it so be that they be faithful to him.  Wherefore, let us be faithful to him." 1 Nephi 7:12

When Nephi reminds them of the promised land and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem (and their destruction if they return), they are angry and bind him in preparation of killing him and leaving him for the wild beasts to destroy.  Reminds me of Joseph and his brothers.

How often do I desire that which God, in His kindness, has told me is not right for me?  In what way do I respond when God says, "No."  Frustration?  Resignation?  Fine!? Or in humble gratitude?

Segue: Mercy and Grace

As I reflect on the scriptures and write these posts, I really want to make cumulative changes for the better and get frustrated when I slip back into old patterns.

Fortunately, a few days ago I recalled the introduction to a Sunday School lesson a number of years ago.  The teacher was an engaging and intelligent man.  He began by sharing the true story of a woman who decided that she would take the principle being taught that Sunday and live it perfectly for the next week, then the next week, she would add a new principle and live it perfectly as well.  While I began making mental plans to try to do the same, he said, "She had a mental breakdown."  Whoa.  That stopped me in my tracks.

Sometimes I forget about grace and mercy and only judge myself on my perceived shortcomings and lack of progress.  I know that makes me less than gracious in my interactions with my family and others as well.  I am so grateful for the tender mercies of my Father in Heaven, for His reminders that I am His beloved child and that I don't have to be perfect for Him to love me.

1 Nephi 7:2-5 The Power of the Word of the Lord

When the sons of Lehi return to Jerusalem to bring Ishmael and his family back with them into the wilderness, they gained favor by speaking the words of the Lord.  Nephi says "the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael...insomuch that they took their journey with us." vs 5

This reminds me of Alma 31:5, "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to that which was just--yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them--therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."

Ishmael left his home and took his family into the wilderness because his heart was touched by the word of the Lord.

There have been many times in my life when I have been touched by the word of the Lord, but how am I doing today?  Have I prepared myself to hear and hearken to His word?  Because hearing is not enough.  I must be willing, through His grace, to do, to change and to be who He is calling me to be.

Am I speaking the word of the Lord?  Am I speaking love, truth, kindness and peace?

I noticed that Nephi didn't say, "They listened to me," or "They listened to my words."  He gave all the credit to God.  It reminds me of a great song, "Window to His Love."  You can listen to it and read the lyrics here (scroll down).

1 Nephi 7:1 Marriage and Families

Sometimes a post sits and stews in the back of my brain until something taps it and sets it free.  I read a great post today on the Deep Roots at Home website.  There is a poem by Louise B. Eavey from a mother's point of view concerning her son.  The poem ends, "Expectantly I yield to Thee The little boy Thou gavest me."

This touched my heart in many ways.  Our children are God's precious children, and as much as we love and cherish them, He loves them with His own perfect love that is far beyond our own.

In  The Family: A Proclamation to the World, it states "We...solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children"

and further down

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live."

The Lord provides for the physical safety of Lehi's family by having them leave Jerusalem.  He provides for their spiritual safety by having them retrieve the records contained on the brass plates.  Now the Lord provides for their future safety by calling Ishmael's family to go into the wilderness and to the promised land with them.  (It's interesting/amusing that this is one errand Laman and Lemuel do not murmur about).  Lehi's and Ishmael's children will marry and have families of their own, and their seed will continue long after Lehi and Ishmael are gone.

Do I recognize my family as being heaven-ordained?

How does that affect my daily interactions with my husband and children?

How well am I preparing my children to be husband/wives/parents?

1 Nephi 6:1-6 Pleasing unto God

I'm such a perfectionist.  I wrote this some time ago but didn't post it because it wasn't "perfect."  It was too short, too obvious, not good enough.  But something I read today by Darlene Schacht reminds me that God doesn't require us to be perfect. "Our God is a god of second chances, forgiveness and grace."

In this brief chapter, Nephi delineates what he will and will not include in his record. He will not include the genealogy or "account" of his father, since that is included elsewhere.

What he does include is a powerful witness of the love and power of God.

Knowing the plates are small, Nephi only wants to include "the things of God" that he may persuade men to "come unto God."  He knows that the things he writes will not be pleasing to the world, but they will be pleasing to God.

I first heard "I Want to be a Window to His Love" by Julie de Azevedo in college and immediately fell in love with it.  The first verse begin,

I want to be a window to His love
So when you look at me you will see Him
I want to be so pure and clear
That you won’t even know I’m here
‘Cause His love will shine brightly through me

You can listen to it and read the rest of the lyrics here:

I think that's what Nephi wanted, to be a window to God's love.

If the way I live my live is my record, how well am I filling it?  If my life is sacred and has value, am I filling it with that which is pleasing to God?  Is my life a testimony of what I say I believe, and is it leading my family and others to God?

1 Nephi 5:10-22 Scripture Power

How much do I value the scriptures?  How can I increase my appreciation for the scriptures and my testimony of the importance of scripture study in my life?

The brass plates are so vital to the survival of Lehi's seed that the boys return to Jerusalem and risk their lives to retrieve the plates before the family continues on their journey.  When Lehi receives the brass plates, he gives thanks to God and begins to "search them from the beginning."  He finds the books of Moses, prophecies of the holy prophets, and a genealogy of his fathers.  He is filled with the Spirit and begins to prophesy concerning the record and his seed.

Nephi closes this section by stating that he and his father have "kept the commandments", obtained the records, found them "desirable" and of "great worth" and acknowledges that it was "wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us."

Bishop Dean M. Davies observed that "our spirits and souls will be replenished and strengthened by feasting upon the words of Christ...Searching, pondering, and applying the words of Christ as taught in the scriptures will bring wisdom and knowledge beyond our mortal understanding.  This will strengthen our commitment and provide the spiritual reserves to do our best in all situations." "A Sure Foundation" April 2013 General Conference

I love the middle of that quote, "wisdom and knowledge beyond our mortal understanding" and the promise of "spiritual reserves."  That's what Nephi has.  That's what I want.



There's a great Primary song, Scripture Power.  Words here.  Audio file here.

1 Nephi 5:1-9 Fear and Faith

How do I keep from being paralyzed or overwhelmed by fear?  How do I respond to or help those whose faith is threatened by fear?

In the beginning of chapter 5, Sariah rejoices at the return of her sons, the more so because she had feared their death as well as her own.  She had accused Lehi of being a "visionary man" and leading them out of Jerusalem to their deaths.

How does Lehi respond to these accusations? 

With truth and with love. 

He acknowledges that he is a visionary man, then continues with his testimony that if they had not been led out Jerusalem by a vision of God, they would have perished.  He concludes with his testimony that he knows God will deliver their sons and bring them safely back to them.

Lehi not only comforted his wife, he strengthened her faith and testimony by speaking truth in love and by the Spirit.

There are several excellent scriptures and conference talks on fear and faith.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a strong mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you" D&C 68:6

"My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." Be of Good Cheer, Thomas S. Monson

"Faith and fear cannot coexist. One gives way to the other...In a household of faith, there is no need to fear or doubt. Choose to live by faith and not fear." Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Kevin W. Pearson

"So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."  Faith--The Choice is Yours, Richard C Edgley 

"When we choose to follow Christ in faith rather than choosing another path out of fear, we are blessed" Live by Faith and Not by Fear, Quentin L. Cook

"We live in a time of turmoil...But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith. We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith." Face the Future with Faith, Russell M. Nelson

"Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character...As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced." The Transforming Power of Faith and Character, Richard G. Scott

"In both of the experiences that these good families endured, pain and sorrow left because of the light of the gospel, which filled them with peace and comfort, providing the assurance that everything would be well." Faith in Adversity, Rafael E. Pino

1 Nephi 4:20-38 Choices

One man in a wicked environment chose to follow God.  While my immediate surroundings are peaceful, the world is rapidly increasing in wickedness and distancing itself from God.  The world calls "evil good, and good evil." Isaiah 5:20-21

How can I keep myself prepared to hear and follow God when he calls?  Even when the "whole world" cries one thing, how do I keep my ears and heart turned towards God?

We see Nephi prepared to do God's work, and I think Zoram is also prepared.  Of all the people in Jerusalem who were chosen to leave Jerusalem, there is Lehi and his family, Ishmael and his family, and Zoram, a servant of Laban.

We know little of Zoram's life before this time, but we do know he is chosen by God to accompany Lehi's group into the wilderness, and is later commended as being a true friend to Nephi and is promised that his descendants would be blessed and prospered in the new land.

I think when Nephi speaks to Zoram, the Spirit of God conveys the truth of his words.  Whether Zoram  was outwardly religious or righteous before this time or not, when he heard Nephi speak, Zoram chooses to follow the path to freedom, the path of obedience, and the path to God.

1 Nephi 4:5-19 Trust

"Trust me."

Nephi must have lived his life in such a manner as to completely trust the Spirit of God.  He must have experimented on the word sufficiently to have great faith and confidence in following the prompting of the Holy Ghost when he was led "not knowing" the things he would be asked to do.

Alma compares a seed to the word of God and how through our patience and diligence in applying the word of God in our lives, our faith and joy is increased.  Nephi was undoubtedly nourishing his spirit on a daily basis.

How faithfully do I follow the guidance of the Spirit?  Do I heed and follow daily promptings to serve, to study, to work and even to rest in the Lord?  Do I trust and love God enough to do as he asks, even when I do not know why He is asking?  Even when it is hard?

1 Nephi 4:1-4 Remember

Remembering is a powerful tool.  Sometimes, when I am walking in the morning with one of my friends, and one of us is going through a tough time, we will recall past experiences of the Lord's goodness in our lives and increase our faith that He will continue to sustain and support us in our trials.

After being threatened by Laban and chased by his servants, Laman and Lemuel grudgingly agree to return to Jerusalem, but they are afraid. Because Nephi has a testimony that "the Lord is mightier than all the earth," he is prepared to "be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord."  He encourages his brothers to be "strong like unto Moses" and recounts the Exodus story and says "Ye know that this is true."

Using a past miraculous experience of deliverance, Nephi encourages his brothers to remember the strength and power of God and to have the courage to try again.

What is the source of my faith, and how can I best remember the Lord's tender mercies in my life?

1 Nephi 3 revisited: Obedience

One thing I love about the scriptures is how you could take just a small section, study it forever, and still find new things.

I was rereading 1 Nephi 3:14-19, and I noticed the difference between why Laman and Lemuel are obedient and how they respond to adversity, and Nephi's reason for obedience and how he responds to adversity.

Laman and Lemuel are obedient because they are doing their duty, being obedient to their earthly father, so when they had tried and failed, they consider the job done.

Nephi is obedient because he considers it a commandment from his Heavenly Father, so when he tries and fails, and tries and fails again, he doesn't give up.  The Lord has prepared a way for him, and Nephi's not going to give up until he is successful.

Now the hard questions.  Why am I obedient?  How faithful am I in persisting when being obedient is not easy?

It reminds me of when Peter came to the Savior and asked how many times do I have to forgive my brother?  till seven times?  And the Savior answers, "Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22.

How many times do I have to keep trying?  I guess as many times as it takes or until I hear otherwise.

1 Nephi 3 Spiritual Courage

When Lehi asks his sons retrieve the scriptures from Jerusalem, Laman and Lemuel murmur, saying that he has required a hard thing of them, but Lehi knows that it is a commandment of the Lord.  He encourages Nephi to go, telling him that he will be favored of the Lord because he has not murmured.  Nephi responds with his famous "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded...he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 Nephi 3:7

Where did Nephi get the courage to go and then to stay even after things got rough?
1.  He was taught of goodly parents 1 Nephi 1:1.
2.  He prayed/humbled himself, and the Lord softened his heart. 1 Nephi 2:16.
3.  He was probably consistent/diligent (1 Nephi 2:19) in his daily practices, so he was prepared, like a runner for a race or like the the Ten Virgins of the parable.

How diligent am I in my daily practices of prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments and service?  Do I have sufficient oil in my lamp to meet the challenges of my day?  What is one think I can do better tomorrow?

1 Nephi 2:16-24 A Sure Foundation

Unlike his brothers, Nephi actively sought a change in heart and desired to know the things of God.  When Nephi had humbled himself and cried unto the Lord, he believed the words of his father and did not rebel against him.  Once he received this witness of the Spirit, Nephi made it known to his brothers, but only Sam accepted and believed.  Nephi didn't stop at sharing his testimony with his rebellious brothers, he cried unto the Lord for them when they rejected it.  This is when he hears, "Blessed art thou, Nephi."

The Lord tells Nephi that as long as he is obedient, he will be led to a land of promise, for him and his children as long as they are obedient.

These verses build on the exodus theme.  Nephi's land of promise is contingent on his righteousness, just like my eternal promised land is contingent on my obedience and righteousness.  Nephi was blessed for his faith and diligence and was led to the promised land.  His brothers had no power over him, but he still had to endure many afflictions.

Helaman 5:12 is a great verse for giving us hope against adversity,

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his might winds, yea, his shafts in the whirwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

How firm is my foundation?  Do I follow the Savior's admonition to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and Pray for them which despitefully use you." Matthew 5:44

1 Nephi 2:8-15 Steadfast in God

Lehi loves all his children, even Laman and Lemuel, and desires their righteousness.  He tries to teach them by types "be like unto this valley, firm, steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!" 1 Nephi 2:10.  When they murmur and complain because "they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them."1 Nephi 2:12, Lehi speaks to them with power, "being filled with the Spirit" 1 Nephi 2:14.  While this temporarily changes their behavior, it does not change their hearts.

From a parenting point of view:

How do I interact with my children when their behavior or attitude is not wonderful?  Do I seek to have the Spirit to direct and guide me?  Do I seek a change in my heart as well as theirs?

Do I find myself murmuring against life circumstances because I know not the dealings of God?  How do I seek a change of heart so I am strong and steadfast and immovable?  How do I come to know God?

A quick search of "firm steadfast and immovable" returned several great articles, among them

"Steadfast and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works" by Elder Bednar

"Steadfast and Immovable" by Sylvia Allred, especially the last third of her talk.

I am so grateful for my Savior, for His atoning sacrifice, His unceasing love, and for His always remembering me.

1 Nephi 2:2-7 Exodus: Physical and Spiritual

Lehi was commanded to leave Jerusalem and depart into the wilderness.  He forsook all his precious worldly possessions, taking only his family and whatever supplies they needed to live in the wilderness.  When he had traveled three days into the wilderness, he stopped and gave thanks.

The exodus theme is not uncommon in the scriptures.  Moses and the children of Israel first come to mind.  They were called out of the wickedness and bondage of Egypt to become clean and worship God.  In the New Testament, the Savior calls on us to figuratively leave the world and prays to the Father that we might be sanctified and kept from evil John 17:14-17.

Questions to ask and to answer:

In my past, do I see the hand of God leading me out of Babylon, either literally or figuratively?  Have I thanked God for that or do I murmur and lust after the "fleshpots of Egypt"?

How am I doing in my current journey out of Babylon?  Am I backsliding or drifting  into bad habits or do I "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ?"

What am I doing to make a difference in my journey, or someone else's journey, today?

1 Nephi 2:1

Lehi was blessed because of his obedience, the "things which thou hast done."   But because of his faithful obedience, his life was threatened, and he had to take his family, leave behind all his earthly wealth, and depart into the wilderness.

I looked up some of the other people who heard the words "Blessed art thou" in the scriptures.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, Luke 1:28
Simon Peter Matthew 16:17
Lehi 1 Nephi 2:1
Nephi 1 Nephi 2:19
Alma Mosiah 26:15
Alma the Younger Alma 8:15
The wife of Lamoni Alma 19:10
Joseph Smith D&C 6:10

All of these people were on a path of righteousness; some had been travelling it longer than others, but they all had a long ways to go and many challenges to face before they were done with this life.

My questions are:

What choices were these people making on a daily basis?

How did they live their lives after they heard these words?

What do I need to be doing to be/feel blessed of God?

1 Nephi 1:18-20

After experiencing these divine manifestations, Lehi went forth to call his people to repentance.  He "truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations," and also prophesied of the "coming of a Messiah and also the redemption of the world."  Because of Heavenly Father's infinite love for His people, he greatly desired their return to Him, their repentance, their healing.  He respected their agency while still holding them accountable for their lives, their choices and actions.  He treats all His children with this same respect.

This reminds me of hymn 240,  "Know This, That Every Soul Is Free"

1. Know this, that ev’ry soul is free
To choose his life and what he’ll be;
For this eternal truth is giv’n:
That God will force no man to heav’n.

2. He’ll call, persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love, and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.  

 If my goal in this life is to become more like my Savior, who is in the express image of His Father, then I need to treat my spouse and my children with respect, with goodness and kindness, as well as all the rest of Heavenly Father's children.

Today's question.  How do I think of the people in my life?  How do I treat them?  Am I respecting their agency?  What area do I most to need to improve so I will be loving, correcting and respecting with Christ-like love?

D&C 121:41-46, 2 Nephi 10:23-24, Helaman 14:30-31

1 Nephi 1:16-17

Nephi records that Lehi beheld many visions and dreams and that he recorded many of his prophesies and counsel to his children.  Nephi will follow his example in recording events and revelations in his own life.

When I look at my parents and their lives, I see the echoes in my life, or maybe they're seeds that have taken root and started to grow.  I guess parents and children are like the parable of the sower.

Children don't have a lot of control over what happens in their lives.  Parents provide the environment and the seeds, but eventually the children are responsible.  Lehi's children probably had similar environments and similar seeds, but each had to eventually choose their own path, their own soil, their own seeds.  I've never really understood why, when given a choice between what is good and bad and wrong and right, people ultimately make the choice they do.

I'm old enough to pick and choose what I will nurture and what I will grow in my life, so the question is, What do I choose?  What am I choosing today?  What will I choose tomorrow?  What seeds am I choosing to sow, which am I inadvertently sowing along the way and how will I make changes to the seeds I don't like?

From "The Family: A Proclamation To The World" paragraph 6,

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children...Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another. The Family: A Proclamation To The World

The scriptures tend to shine light into the dark recesses of my soul and make visible what I may not have otherwise seen.  Things I am lacking, things I need to improve.

I don't remember where I originally heard this story related by Robert Fulghum, but it is beautiful.  Here is the ending:

I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world -- into the black places in the hearts of men -- and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life.  http://christysclipart.com/mirror.html

What am I doing with my soil and how am I nourishing the soil of my family/friends/community/county?

How far can my influence reach?

What are my purposes and responsibilities in this life?

How do you see yours?

1 Nephi 1:7-15

Like Moses and Joseph Smith and other prophets, Lehi was exhausted by this spiritual manifestation, but further revelation was coming.  In his vision, Lehi beheld the Savior and his apostles.  The Savior himself delivered Lehi's prophetic calling (the book).  Even though there was destruction foretold, Lehi praised God for His works and power and goodness and mercy. "His soul did rejoice and his whole heart was filled."

We each receive callings to "go and do" in our lives.  While they may not be as dramatic as Lehi or Moses or Joseph, they are just as real.  God gives each of us tasks and stewardships during our lives here on earth.

How do I respond to the call from God to act, to do, to live, to be?

Some calls are pleasant, others not so much.

How do I maintain my faith and determination when the Spirit is guiding me in a direction I would rather not go?

1 Nephi 1:6

When Lehi prayed and beheld the pillar of fire and the accompanying revelation, it appears that he was in an isolated place, pouring out his heart in prayer.

How many instances are recorded of revelation coming from prayer and pondering? (Joseph Smith JSH 1:10-17, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon D&C 76:19, Joseph F. Smith 138:1-2, Enos Enos 1:3-4, the Brother of Jared Ether 2 & 3, to name a few)

In the Oct 2011 General Conference, Elder Richard G. Scott shared

Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost.  "The Power of Scripture"

Elder Scott gave instruction on "How to Obtain Revelation" in the April 2012 GenCon,

When I am faced with a very difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures.

In Oct 2009 GenCon address "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", Elder Scott shared this powerful example of the results of pondering and praying.

I sought a more private location, where I continued to write the feelings that flooded into my mind and heart as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received...I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering, and praying for confirmation was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was...Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.

What fraction of my day do I dedicate to scripture study, prayer and meditation?

What am I receiving, or failing to receive, as I heed this counsel?

To what degree am I obedient/worthy, and how does that affect my ability to receive revelation?

1 Nephi 1:5

Lehi prayed with all his heart for his people, who would later try to take his life.  Why?  What grace allowed him to do that?  I love the definition for Grace in the Bible Dictionary.

It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts. 

Lehi also demonstrated charity, as defined in Moroni 7:47-48

 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.

Because Lehi was worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost by making consistent righteous choices in his life, he was close to God, he was heeding His Spirit, he was blessed with certain gifts of the Spirit, including charity.  He could feel Christlike love for his people, and in part, see as He sees, love as He loves, and love people even when they don't deserve it. That is the enabling power of grace that helps us become and continue to be better than we were and better than we could ever hope to be on our own, to love those who aren't loveable and to forgive those who trespass against us.  In short, to become like Him.

1 Nephi 1:4

Why do prophets call people to repentance?

Why does the Spirit call me to repentance?

 It give us an opportunity to change or repent and be warned of consequences. Repentance represents God's desires of happiness for His children, which comes through making righteous choices.

Article of Faith 4 "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism...fourth...the gift of the Holy Ghost." 

 Repentance prepares us for the gift of the Holy Ghost, which guides, instructs, reveals, leads, protects, purifies us, and prepares us to live with God again (not exhaustive list). If the wicked do not repent, they are destroyed.

 What brings a person or a nation to that point?

 The Book of Mormon begins and ends with descriptions of people who were "past feeling." 1 Nephi 17:45 and Moroni 9:20. The Book of Mormon Student Manual shares

"Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that men and women will lose the companionship of the Holy Ghost if they reject the light and knowledge of the gospel: “Many choose to walk in carnal paths and go contrary to the enticings of the Spirit. It is possible to sear one’s conscience to the point that the Spirit will withdraw its influence and men will no longer know or care about anything that is decent and edifying. ‘For my Spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of Hosts.’ (D&C 1:33.)” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 260)."

1 Nephi 1:1

1 Nephi 1:1  Nephi had many afflictions. Why did he consider himself highly favored of the Lord?

How can I feel "favored of the Lord" in the midst of my afflictions?

 Nephi continued that he "had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God." In the Oct 2088 General Conference, Elder Bednar said,

"Revelation is communication from Heavenly Father to His children on earth. As we ask in faith, we can receive revelation upon revelation and knowledge upon knowledge and come to know the mysteries and peaceable things that bring joy and eternal life (see D&C 42:61). The mysteries are those matters that can only be known and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World [1974], 211)." [italics added]

 The mysteries of God are known via revelation through the Holy Ghost, which bears record of the Father and the Son. If Nephi had the companionship of the Holy Ghost (and he did), then he had access to gifts of the Spirit, which include peace and comfort, which he would have needed to pass through his afflictions.

Nephi kept a record of his life. What purpose does keeping a journal serve? To remember what has passed, revelations we have received, evidences of God's love and tender mercies in our lives, testimonies, a witness to those who may later read it, a warning, an example...

Of record keeping (personal journal), President Kimball said,

"Accordingly, we urge our young people to begin today to write and keep records of all the important things in their own lives...Your own private journal should record the way you face up to challenges that beset you. Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity. Experiences of work, relations with people, and an awareness of the rightness and wrongness of actions will always be relevant." "The Angels May Quote From It" also the BoM Student Manual

President Kimball also said that "remember" might be the most important word, "when you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is?  It could be 'remember.' Because all of (us) have made covenants...our greatest need is to remember."