If 1 Nephi 17 was the only chapter given to us out of the Book of Mormon, that would be sufficiently powerful to convince my heart of the truthfulness of this sacred book. The inspiration and instruction found in those 55 versus left me feeling like I would never be the same.
Instead of a traditional blog post I will just reviewing and highlighting a few of the things that empowered me today.
The chapter starts out with Nephi reminding us that him and his family have been wandering in the wilderness for eight entire years now. The women have borne children and they have experienced afflictions of every kind. Yet Nephi, of all things to mention, says, "And so great were the blessing of the Lord upon us, that while we did live upon raw meat in the wilderness, our women did give plenty of suck for their children, and were strong."
Sure after bug bites, blistered feet, losing all possessions, cold nights, hot days, and limited social contacts, clearly, you've been super blessed. What?! What would I give to have to perception and gratitude of Nephi. He remembered all that the Lord has done for him. It wasn't that God had gave them this awful life and then expected worship. Rather, Nephi understood that God had saved that from imminent destruction, he gave them a promised future with a promised land, and a legacy that would forever change the world. I have a feeling that even if the women weren't able to "give suck to their children", Nephi would have still felt gratitude.
Continuing on, (We still are on verse 2....), the family is finally out of the thick of trees and reaches a body of water. At one particular point Nephi hears a whispering telling him, "Arise, and get thee into the mountain..."
[Ever heard the temple be called the mountain of the Lord? Ever feel like you should go? Did you respond in the positive and do so quickly? How relatable is Nephi's call to come!]
Nephi goes and receives instruction that he is to build a ship to carry him and his family across the water. His response is, "Lord, whiter shall I go that I may find ore to molten that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?"
I remember being asked by the Lord to do particular things in my life. Go on a mission, go to college, be the relief society president, or even reach out and form a friendship with someone. Each of these experiences ended up becoming the most powerful and amazing opportunities I've ever been give, yet I unfortunately cannot say that my response was, "For sure Heavenly Father, how do you want me to go about it." Rather, I doubted complained, and feared. This is not said to deprecate myself but relate to what I see as a commonality in many of us. What if instead of freaking out we just said, "I'll do it."? How many more life changing and character making experiences would we be given? Nephi rocks.
1 Nephi 17:17 "And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship they began to murmur against me, saying: Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship; yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross these great waters."
As Nephi demonstrates faith in the commandments he has been given, his brothers choose to ridicule and mock. I could write a whole entire blog dedicated to a horrible habit so many of us have of bringing people down to a place where they don't push us to be better or have any qualities that we are intimidated by...
This triggers something is Nephi. Instead of discouragement, his testimony fires up and reproaches his brothers. He starts by reminding them of the story of Moses. He asks, if God could save an entire people for the hand of the Egyptians why could he not build a boat? How about us? If God can save an entire people why can't He give us the power to do amazing things with our lives?! It is up to our faith.
Nephi reminds us in verse 41, continuing to discus the Israelites leaving Egypt, "He (God) sent fiery serpents among them and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed..." He allows us to get bitten but by putting forth even just a little bit of effort we can, and will be healed.
We than come to verses that ought to shake us to the very core. He calls out his brothers, (vs 15) "Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember that Lord your God." He reminds them that they have seen angels, they have heard the voice of God from time to time, but that they "were past hearing".
WAKE UP. That is the risk we all take when choosing to refrain from doing daily scripture study, daily prayer, or any of the other commandments and suggestions of modern day prophets. Are you choosing to listen to the spirit? Is that your first priority? What is interfering with that?
This verse was written for us individually, (vs46) "And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then how is it that ye can be so hard in your hearts?"
But the verse most powerful to me is number 50-51, "...If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?"
You can do all thing is God and Jesus Christ.
This chapter is more full than I would ever have energy to write in a blog. I know that this book is true. I know that this single chapter holds so much truth and instruction I will be able to return to it time and time again and that it will always lead to progress.
Nephi, you're the man.
Any insights you love?
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