"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?
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
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?
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?
Saturday, April 20, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
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?
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?
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
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
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.
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.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
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?
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?
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