1 Nephi 11:1
I feel a little bit overwhelmed today. I have been very busy at work, for which I am very grateful. At the same time I feel a burning desire to read all that I can. In addition to my study of the Book of Mormon, I am reading “The Mortal Messiah- Book One” (There are 4 volumes). I am also reading Hugh Nibley’s “Approaching Zion”, an amazing work.
I love reading and I want to read all of my spare time, however, of course I have many other responsibilities. I have received a burning testimony of the new Duty to God program. I feel a compelling need to implement it in the life of my two sons. It comes as an answer to many sincere prayers on what I can do to prepare my sons for Priesthood service. Implementing this program takes a lot of time and dedication in the evenings. It has changes how we have family scripture study… a topic for another day.
Now we come to the topic of my blog. I also feel a strong need to write in this blog. The ironic thing is that not that many people read it. Something inside me however is driving me to write about my reading of the Book of Mormon. I have been delaying this day because of the overwhelming topic of Nephi’s interpretation of Lehi’s Dream. This is an important topic that I have spent many hours pondering about. I hope I can do it justice.
Vs 1
“FOR it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.”
There is nearly an entire sermon taught in this verse alone. Nephi had a desire to know the things his father had seen; and he had faith that the Lord was able to make them known unto him. My immediate thoughts go to Alma’s parable of the seed.
27 “But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.”
Take note of the words “desire to believe.” This is an indication of Nephi’s faith.
Nephi sat pondering. I have learned throughout my life that I need to make time for pondering. I have found that rising early in the morning is the only time that works for me. I awaken every morning between 4:30 and 5:00 am. I spend at least an hour reading, pondering, and journaling on impressions that come to me. Without a doubt this has become the most precious time of my life. This is the time that I really begin to understand the nature of our Heavenly Father.
Additionally I attend the temple every Wednesday morning for the 6:00 am session. I can’t begin to describe the things that I have learned over the last year doing this. The temple is indeed the Lord’s university.
Nephi was “caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, to an exceedingly high mountain.” This has been a topic of many hours of pondering. Where was Nephi when this was happening? Was he in his tent? Was he somewhere in the wilderness praying? If so, why was he carried away to somewhere else? Why didn’t the Lord simply appear to him where he was?
We know from the experience of others, that the Lord appears in “Holy Places”. These have often been mountain tops. It seems that the Lord uses mountain tops when temples aren’t available. If a temple had been available, would this have happened in the temple? Then we come to how this applies to me.
If the Lord, or one of his messengers, were to appear to me, where would this take place? The temple is certainly a likely place… but it isn’t really private there. Is my home a worthy enough place? I try to make it as clean as possible but the fact that we live in the “world” makes it very difficult to keep influences of the world out. Do I need to go to a mountain? If so, which one? Will the Lord carry me away to a mountain as He did Nephi? These and many other things have been the topic of much pondering and prayer.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
1 Nephi 10
Sorry for the dry spell. I have been out of town with work (I am writing this from Las Vegas). I will try to catch up.
1 Nephi 10
Vs 1
Nephi completes his rehearsing of his father’s story and begins on his own.
Vs. 2-3
I have been reading the book of Jeremiah from the Old Testament while reading this part of the Book of Mormon as well. Both Nephi and Jeremiah lived at the same time and were writing about many of the same events. It has been very interesting to see the fulfillment of Lehi’s prophecies in the book of Jeremiah.
Vs. 11-12
I am constantly trying to do as we are taught by likening the scriptures unto my own life and situation. The Book of Mormon continually talks about “Israel” and the “Gentiles.” Since we as Latter-Day-Saints are really both Israel and Gentiles, I am continually trying to figure out how the scriptures apply to me. These verses are a perfect example of my confusion. Any thoughts from anyone???
Vs 13
This verse seems to make it clear that I am a Gentile and Israel is the Jews. This is not always the case in other scriptures however. Was Joseph Smith a Gentile of was he a natural branch of Israel???
Vs. 17
Nephi was desirous that he might “see, hear, and know” all the things his father saw, heard and knew. This scripture says this is a gift given to “all those who diligently seek him”. This is something I desire.
Vs. 18
The way is prepared for all!
Vs. 19
This is one of my favorite scriptures. “He that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them”
Vs 20-21
We are judged for what we do. If we do wickedly we will be found unworthy!
1 Nephi 10
Vs 1
Nephi completes his rehearsing of his father’s story and begins on his own.
Vs. 2-3
I have been reading the book of Jeremiah from the Old Testament while reading this part of the Book of Mormon as well. Both Nephi and Jeremiah lived at the same time and were writing about many of the same events. It has been very interesting to see the fulfillment of Lehi’s prophecies in the book of Jeremiah.
Vs. 11-12
I am constantly trying to do as we are taught by likening the scriptures unto my own life and situation. The Book of Mormon continually talks about “Israel” and the “Gentiles.” Since we as Latter-Day-Saints are really both Israel and Gentiles, I am continually trying to figure out how the scriptures apply to me. These verses are a perfect example of my confusion. Any thoughts from anyone???
Vs 13
This verse seems to make it clear that I am a Gentile and Israel is the Jews. This is not always the case in other scriptures however. Was Joseph Smith a Gentile of was he a natural branch of Israel???
Vs. 17
Nephi was desirous that he might “see, hear, and know” all the things his father saw, heard and knew. This scripture says this is a gift given to “all those who diligently seek him”. This is something I desire.
Vs. 18
The way is prepared for all!
Vs. 19
This is one of my favorite scriptures. “He that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them”
Vs 20-21
We are judged for what we do. If we do wickedly we will be found unworthy!
Friday, September 3, 2010
1 Nephi 9
This of course is a very short chapter.
Vs 1
“And all these things did my father see and hear…”
I am continually amazed at the number of visions, dreams, and voices that Lehi saw and heard. Nephi seems to be aware of all or most of them. This is an example to me of sharing special experiences with our children.
Vs 2-4
I am reminded by these verses of the talk Elder Henry B. Eyring gave in General Conference in the October 2007 Conference titled “O Remember, Remember.”
“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.”
In this talk he encourages us to keep a journal of how we have felt the hand of the Lord in our lives. This talk really touched me and I have done a pretty good job of this ever since.
Vs 5-6
Of course we know in hind sight that the Lord was covering for the fact that Martin Harris would lose the 116 pages of the Book of Lehi and the only record we would have would be Nephi’s version of it.
We then learn in “The Words of Mormon” that Mormon’s abridgement was written from the “Large Plates of Nephi”, and that he added this “small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this King Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.” I quote Words of Mormon verses 6 and 7.
“6 But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
Vs 1
“And all these things did my father see and hear…”
I am continually amazed at the number of visions, dreams, and voices that Lehi saw and heard. Nephi seems to be aware of all or most of them. This is an example to me of sharing special experiences with our children.
Vs 2-4
I am reminded by these verses of the talk Elder Henry B. Eyring gave in General Conference in the October 2007 Conference titled “O Remember, Remember.”
“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.”
In this talk he encourages us to keep a journal of how we have felt the hand of the Lord in our lives. This talk really touched me and I have done a pretty good job of this ever since.
Vs 5-6
Of course we know in hind sight that the Lord was covering for the fact that Martin Harris would lose the 116 pages of the Book of Lehi and the only record we would have would be Nephi’s version of it.
We then learn in “The Words of Mormon” that Mormon’s abridgement was written from the “Large Plates of Nephi”, and that he added this “small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this King Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.” I quote Words of Mormon verses 6 and 7.
“6 But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
1 Nephi 8
1 Nephi 8
I am really amazed at the number of visions and dreams that Lehi has. It appears that he doesn’t even write about all of them; or at least Nephi doesn’t write about all of his father’s dreams.
Vs 1
Why did Lehi gather seeds? Was he afraid that the promised land would have what he needed? (It was called the promised land after all, choice above all other lands). Or was this a commandment of the Lord… much like our commandment to have a year’s supply?
Vs. 5
Was the man he saw in the dream the Savior or an angel?
Vs. 6
If it was the Savior and he said “follow me”, was this literal or was this more like Jesus calling the apostles?
Vs. 10
I have a lot of thoughts and questions about this verse. Is this tree the same tree we learn about in the Garden of Eden; The Tree of Life? If its fruit was “desirable to make one happy”, why wouldn’t Laman and Lemuel partake of it? Why didn’t they want to be happy? I have siblings and relatives that won’t partake either. Why won’t they do something so simple if it makes them happy? We learn later on that the fruit of the tree represents the love of God. In light of this, and if it is the same tree found in the Garden of Eden, why was an angel set to guard it from Adam and Eve after the partake of the fruit of the other tree?
Vs 12
Feeling of the love and joy that comes from partaking of the fruit (the love of God), Lehi immediately thinks of his family.
Vs. 14
Our families need our guidance!
Vs 19
The Rod of Iron. We are taught that the Rod of Iron represents the word of God. We are taught to believe that this is the standard works. I have many thoughts on this topic but will share them in a few days when I write about Nephi’s interpretation of the dream.
Vs 20-33
The same holds true for the rest of Lehi’s dream: I will reserve my comments until we are reading Nephi’s interpretation in a few days.
Vs 23
Numberless concourses of people find their way to the path but fall away due to the mist of darkness; they were not yet holding to the rod of iron.
Vs. 24
Some are able to make it through the mist of darkness because they hold fast to the iron rod.
Vs. 25
How could someone be ashamed after they partook of the fruit? We have already learned the fruit is what makes one happy.
Vs. 30
“they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” Did they fall down to worship as if worshiping the Savior or did they fall down out of exhaustion from the journey?
Vs 34
I find this verse a curious one. Why did Nephi see fit to include it?
Vs 37
I can understand exhorting then “with all the feeling of a tender parent.” How many times have we done this with our own children? How many time has my Heavenly Father done this with me?
I am really amazed at the number of visions and dreams that Lehi has. It appears that he doesn’t even write about all of them; or at least Nephi doesn’t write about all of his father’s dreams.
Vs 1
Why did Lehi gather seeds? Was he afraid that the promised land would have what he needed? (It was called the promised land after all, choice above all other lands). Or was this a commandment of the Lord… much like our commandment to have a year’s supply?
Vs. 5
Was the man he saw in the dream the Savior or an angel?
Vs. 6
If it was the Savior and he said “follow me”, was this literal or was this more like Jesus calling the apostles?
Vs. 10
I have a lot of thoughts and questions about this verse. Is this tree the same tree we learn about in the Garden of Eden; The Tree of Life? If its fruit was “desirable to make one happy”, why wouldn’t Laman and Lemuel partake of it? Why didn’t they want to be happy? I have siblings and relatives that won’t partake either. Why won’t they do something so simple if it makes them happy? We learn later on that the fruit of the tree represents the love of God. In light of this, and if it is the same tree found in the Garden of Eden, why was an angel set to guard it from Adam and Eve after the partake of the fruit of the other tree?
Vs 12
Feeling of the love and joy that comes from partaking of the fruit (the love of God), Lehi immediately thinks of his family.
Vs. 14
Our families need our guidance!
Vs 19
The Rod of Iron. We are taught that the Rod of Iron represents the word of God. We are taught to believe that this is the standard works. I have many thoughts on this topic but will share them in a few days when I write about Nephi’s interpretation of the dream.
Vs 20-33
The same holds true for the rest of Lehi’s dream: I will reserve my comments until we are reading Nephi’s interpretation in a few days.
Vs 23
Numberless concourses of people find their way to the path but fall away due to the mist of darkness; they were not yet holding to the rod of iron.
Vs. 24
Some are able to make it through the mist of darkness because they hold fast to the iron rod.
Vs. 25
How could someone be ashamed after they partook of the fruit? We have already learned the fruit is what makes one happy.
Vs. 30
“they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” Did they fall down to worship as if worshiping the Savior or did they fall down out of exhaustion from the journey?
Vs 34
I find this verse a curious one. Why did Nephi see fit to include it?
Vs 37
I can understand exhorting then “with all the feeling of a tender parent.” How many times have we done this with our own children? How many time has my Heavenly Father done this with me?
Monday, August 30, 2010
1 Nephi 6 and 7
1 Nephi 6
Vs 4
“For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.”
I am impressed that Nephi is always a missionary. His mission is always to bring others to Christ. This attribute is one of the primary reasons I admire Nephi and want to be like him; he is always trying to do the right thing.
1 Nephi 7
Vs 1
The Lord speaks to Lehi again. Is this face to face, in a dream, vision, or the still small voice? Once again the revelation comes to the presiding authority- Lehi. Although Nephi had received many revelations, this one didn’t come to him.
This verse is a great example of when we are obedient to one commandment… we will receive more.
Vs 2
Lehi once again sends his sons to fulfill a mission. How is this similar to the creation of the world where the Father commanded the Son(s) to go and fulfill a task?
Vs 4
Can you imagine this conversation between Lehi’s sons and the family of Ishmael? What could you say to persuade an entire family to leave all they have and follow a “dreamer?”
Vs 5-6
I’ve never understood why Laman and Lemuel just didn’t stay behind. If they didn’t want to go, why did they; especially when they now had a larger group to fuel their rebellion?
Vs. 12
“Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.”
This is a very powerful verse that we would be wise to follow.
Vs 13
If we are faithful, we too will obtain a land of promise! I know this is true, blessings come to those who are faithful. I have experienced this in my own life. Although I continue to make many mistakes, I am truly trying to be faithful. I feel once again like the “tree by the river” as spoken of in Jeremiah 17:7-8.
“7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Vs. 17-18
I always have found it interesting that Nephi prays for the strength to burst the bands, however, the Lord sees fit to simply loosen them. Would giving Nephi the strength have boosted his pride and encouraged him to rely on his own strength? Loosing the bands made Nephi remember it was the Lord’s doing.
How can I apply this to my own life? How often do I ask the Lord for something that is righteous… but will make me “look good” rather than making people turn to Christ?
Vs. 19
Was the daughter that settled down those who were angry with Nephi the one he ultimately married? The fact that her mother also was part of the peace making points to the faithfulness of the mother. She was in support of going into the wilderness to be with Lehi.
Vs 21
I have always been impressed that Nephi “did frankly forgive them and all they had done.” He was willing to forget it and move on. This is a great example of forgiveness.
Vs 22
Once again they offer sacrifice as thanks to the Lord. How do we offer sacrifice in thanks? The Lord asks us to sacrifice our will to His!
Vs 4
“For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.”
I am impressed that Nephi is always a missionary. His mission is always to bring others to Christ. This attribute is one of the primary reasons I admire Nephi and want to be like him; he is always trying to do the right thing.
1 Nephi 7
Vs 1
The Lord speaks to Lehi again. Is this face to face, in a dream, vision, or the still small voice? Once again the revelation comes to the presiding authority- Lehi. Although Nephi had received many revelations, this one didn’t come to him.
This verse is a great example of when we are obedient to one commandment… we will receive more.
Vs 2
Lehi once again sends his sons to fulfill a mission. How is this similar to the creation of the world where the Father commanded the Son(s) to go and fulfill a task?
Vs 4
Can you imagine this conversation between Lehi’s sons and the family of Ishmael? What could you say to persuade an entire family to leave all they have and follow a “dreamer?”
Vs 5-6
I’ve never understood why Laman and Lemuel just didn’t stay behind. If they didn’t want to go, why did they; especially when they now had a larger group to fuel their rebellion?
Vs. 12
“Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.”
This is a very powerful verse that we would be wise to follow.
Vs 13
If we are faithful, we too will obtain a land of promise! I know this is true, blessings come to those who are faithful. I have experienced this in my own life. Although I continue to make many mistakes, I am truly trying to be faithful. I feel once again like the “tree by the river” as spoken of in Jeremiah 17:7-8.
“7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Vs. 17-18
I always have found it interesting that Nephi prays for the strength to burst the bands, however, the Lord sees fit to simply loosen them. Would giving Nephi the strength have boosted his pride and encouraged him to rely on his own strength? Loosing the bands made Nephi remember it was the Lord’s doing.
How can I apply this to my own life? How often do I ask the Lord for something that is righteous… but will make me “look good” rather than making people turn to Christ?
Vs. 19
Was the daughter that settled down those who were angry with Nephi the one he ultimately married? The fact that her mother also was part of the peace making points to the faithfulness of the mother. She was in support of going into the wilderness to be with Lehi.
Vs 21
I have always been impressed that Nephi “did frankly forgive them and all they had done.” He was willing to forget it and move on. This is a great example of forgiveness.
Vs 22
Once again they offer sacrifice as thanks to the Lord. How do we offer sacrifice in thanks? The Lord asks us to sacrifice our will to His!
Friday, August 27, 2010
1 Nephi 5
1 Nephi 5
Vs 1-3
I wonder how long this trip took Nephi and his brothers. We know that the family was three days in the wilderness before commanded to return. It apparently took longer than Sariah had anticipated because she really began to complain to Lehi. I can imagine the tension between them prior to the boys returning.
Vs. 4-7
Lehi defends his position and tries to comfort his wife. He testifies of his calling and exercises great faith.
Vs. 8
When the sons arrive, Sariah gains a witness that her husband is following the Lord.
Vs. 9
To rejoice, they offer sacrifices to the Lord. What would be an equivalent today? Perhaps attending the temple or making a bigger commitment to obeying the commandments.
Vs. 10
Lehi delves in to studying the record. It is obviously the first time he has seen it. I ask the same question that I did a few days ago… how did Lehi know about the record? We know that Laban and Lehi were related… but how? Why wouldn’t it have been easier for Lehi to get the plates than for the sons?
Lehi was obviously already well acquainted with the scriptures. He probably had his own copy he had been studying over his lifetime. It was typical for the scriptures in that day to be written on scrolls. Did they need the brass plates simply because they were brass that would endure?
Vs 12
The brass plates were a current record… meaning they contained the history all the way up to the current king. They contained writings of Jeremiah who was still alive! Was Laban the record keeper?? He did seem to be some kind of official.
Vs 14
There is a fantastic book called The Hidden Christ by James Ferrell that goes into detail about Lehi being a descendant of Joseph is key to the fulfilling of Joseph’s dream of the sun, and moon, and stars bowing to him (see Genesis 37). I encourage all to read it. It is one of my favorite books of all time.
Through Patriarchal blessings we learn that most of us are descendants of Joseph as well. This may be by blood or adoption.
Vs 18
Again, a key element to Joseph of Egypt being an ancestor of Lehi. Joseph was promised that the gospel would be spread to the world by his seed (see Joseph in the Bible Dictionary to learn more about this).
Vs 1-3
I wonder how long this trip took Nephi and his brothers. We know that the family was three days in the wilderness before commanded to return. It apparently took longer than Sariah had anticipated because she really began to complain to Lehi. I can imagine the tension between them prior to the boys returning.
Vs. 4-7
Lehi defends his position and tries to comfort his wife. He testifies of his calling and exercises great faith.
Vs. 8
When the sons arrive, Sariah gains a witness that her husband is following the Lord.
Vs. 9
To rejoice, they offer sacrifices to the Lord. What would be an equivalent today? Perhaps attending the temple or making a bigger commitment to obeying the commandments.
Vs. 10
Lehi delves in to studying the record. It is obviously the first time he has seen it. I ask the same question that I did a few days ago… how did Lehi know about the record? We know that Laban and Lehi were related… but how? Why wouldn’t it have been easier for Lehi to get the plates than for the sons?
Lehi was obviously already well acquainted with the scriptures. He probably had his own copy he had been studying over his lifetime. It was typical for the scriptures in that day to be written on scrolls. Did they need the brass plates simply because they were brass that would endure?
Vs 12
The brass plates were a current record… meaning they contained the history all the way up to the current king. They contained writings of Jeremiah who was still alive! Was Laban the record keeper?? He did seem to be some kind of official.
Vs 14
There is a fantastic book called The Hidden Christ by James Ferrell that goes into detail about Lehi being a descendant of Joseph is key to the fulfilling of Joseph’s dream of the sun, and moon, and stars bowing to him (see Genesis 37). I encourage all to read it. It is one of my favorite books of all time.
Through Patriarchal blessings we learn that most of us are descendants of Joseph as well. This may be by blood or adoption.
Vs 18
Again, a key element to Joseph of Egypt being an ancestor of Lehi. Joseph was promised that the gospel would be spread to the world by his seed (see Joseph in the Bible Dictionary to learn more about this).
Thursday, August 26, 2010
1 Nephi 4
Vs. 1
It is humbling to me to ponder that everything belongs to our Heavenly Father and we really have and are nothing. The earth is made up of matter. All of this matter belongs to our Heavenly Father. Our homes, our cars, and most importantly our bodies are all made from His matter. When we die, the matter of our bodies simply becomes part of the earth again. It is simply by His goodness that He allows us to borrow anything. Pondering this concept makes me realize that He, and only He, is in charge of all things. This makes 1 Ne 4:1 relevant.
Vs. 3
Nephi tells his brothers “an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt?” This phrase makes me think of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, when he was speaking with Sherem found in Jacob 7:5 which reads:
“And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.”
For Jacob, seeing an angel helped him have faith that couldn’t be shaken! Such miracles only seem to strengthen the faith of the righteous; the wicked are not phased by it.
Vs. 6
How often do we need to step into the darkness relying on nothing but faith?
Vs. 10
Many times in my life I have felt a prompting to do something or perhaps not to do something and I have second guessed myself; particularly when I was younger and less experienced in following the promptings of the spirit. I have often asked myself “is this really the spirit or just my own feelings?” Did Nephi feel this way or was he experienced enough to know it was of the Lord? It appears that he knew it was a prompting of the Lord but that he didn’t want to do it at first. It was against everything he had ever been taught.
Vs. 11-12
In both these verses Nephi says “the Spirit said unto me.” Only experience can teach us to hear the still small voice of the Spirit!
Vs. 13
We learn from the experience of the Mulekites what the result would have been if they hadn’t taken the plates.
Vs. 14
Nephi writes “when I had heard these words”. Again, was it the still small voice or more literal? He goes on to write “I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness.”
Vs. 18
“I obeyed the voice of the Spirit.”
I have learned from my own experience that if I obey the voice of the Spirit, the voice comes more often and more clearly. If I disobey, the next time is slower in coming.
Vs. 30-38
I have many thoughts and questions about Zoram. It seems apparent that Zoram didn’t actually know Laban very well because Nephi was able to hide his identity. Zoram knew the armor or the clothing of Laban more than he knew the Man.
It appears that Zoram was more of a slave than a servant. There was no discussion of Zoram leaving his family behind. Nephi also promised Zoram that he would be a “free man” if he would go into the wilderness with Nephi.
I am also amazed at what binding attributes are associated with an oath in that day. Nephi writes “when Zoram made an oath with us, our fears did cease concerning him.” This seems unheard of in our day.
Another Thought
I have often pondered on how important it was that Nephi was the one successful in getting the plates from Laban. Later in the story, as the Nephites and Lamanites part ways, Nephi’s group takes the plates with them. I am convinced that if Laman had been successful in getting the Plates from Laban, that when they parted ways that there would have been a fight over the plates and Laman would have ended up with them. Think of the consequences!
It is humbling to me to ponder that everything belongs to our Heavenly Father and we really have and are nothing. The earth is made up of matter. All of this matter belongs to our Heavenly Father. Our homes, our cars, and most importantly our bodies are all made from His matter. When we die, the matter of our bodies simply becomes part of the earth again. It is simply by His goodness that He allows us to borrow anything. Pondering this concept makes me realize that He, and only He, is in charge of all things. This makes 1 Ne 4:1 relevant.
Vs. 3
Nephi tells his brothers “an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt?” This phrase makes me think of Jacob, the brother of Nephi, when he was speaking with Sherem found in Jacob 7:5 which reads:
“And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.”
For Jacob, seeing an angel helped him have faith that couldn’t be shaken! Such miracles only seem to strengthen the faith of the righteous; the wicked are not phased by it.
Vs. 6
How often do we need to step into the darkness relying on nothing but faith?
Vs. 10
Many times in my life I have felt a prompting to do something or perhaps not to do something and I have second guessed myself; particularly when I was younger and less experienced in following the promptings of the spirit. I have often asked myself “is this really the spirit or just my own feelings?” Did Nephi feel this way or was he experienced enough to know it was of the Lord? It appears that he knew it was a prompting of the Lord but that he didn’t want to do it at first. It was against everything he had ever been taught.
Vs. 11-12
In both these verses Nephi says “the Spirit said unto me.” Only experience can teach us to hear the still small voice of the Spirit!
Vs. 13
We learn from the experience of the Mulekites what the result would have been if they hadn’t taken the plates.
Vs. 14
Nephi writes “when I had heard these words”. Again, was it the still small voice or more literal? He goes on to write “I remembered the words of the Lord which he spake unto me in the wilderness.”
Vs. 18
“I obeyed the voice of the Spirit.”
I have learned from my own experience that if I obey the voice of the Spirit, the voice comes more often and more clearly. If I disobey, the next time is slower in coming.
Vs. 30-38
I have many thoughts and questions about Zoram. It seems apparent that Zoram didn’t actually know Laban very well because Nephi was able to hide his identity. Zoram knew the armor or the clothing of Laban more than he knew the Man.
It appears that Zoram was more of a slave than a servant. There was no discussion of Zoram leaving his family behind. Nephi also promised Zoram that he would be a “free man” if he would go into the wilderness with Nephi.
I am also amazed at what binding attributes are associated with an oath in that day. Nephi writes “when Zoram made an oath with us, our fears did cease concerning him.” This seems unheard of in our day.
Another Thought
I have often pondered on how important it was that Nephi was the one successful in getting the plates from Laban. Later in the story, as the Nephites and Lamanites part ways, Nephi’s group takes the plates with them. I am convinced that if Laman had been successful in getting the Plates from Laban, that when they parted ways that there would have been a fight over the plates and Laman would have ended up with them. Think of the consequences!
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