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."