I like you have been very impressed with Nephi as I have studied his words and life. One of the things that I enjoy giving attention to are the habits/characteristics Nephi seems to share about himself (see 2 Nephi 33:1-3; 2 Nephi 4:15-16; 1 Nephi 16:21-24; 1 Nephi 10:17; 1 Nephi 2:16,18).
1. 2 Nephi 33:1 - "Neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking" Nephi sees himself as mighty in speaking, but he knows it is because of the Holy Ghost. Yet he does write and for us those writings are so important. I know he had help from Mormon's abridgments but I have to assume that what is provided to us are Nephi's writings. Mormon, though, was concerned about the same thing in Ether 12:23, and used the same words. // 2 Nephi 33:3 - "For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry." Simply put, Nephi knew the value of prayer and he used it to bless others.
2. 2 Nephi 4:15 "For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children." Nephi loves the scriptures and he ponders them, just like I am trying to do. He sets a righteous example for all of us. I am grateful to have this insight into his habits. His study and ponder of the scriptures opened his understanding and allowed us insight into so many aspects of the gospel. Especially isaiah, this is an area worth deeper study because I don't understand Isaiah well enough and we have been commanded to study his words. I think it is interesting that he wrote for his children. Could he have also meant for his posterity, I know that for other prophets there was great concern that these writings would be available to the Lamanites and I believe to those of the Latter Days. // Another thought now is that if we take the first set of verses and combine them with these verses we can see that Nephi was one who knew the "primary answers" -- Pray and read scriptures, but more importantly he knew how to live them the right way. And we can also tell by their context that he kept the meaning of those efforts. His prayers were for others, and shows charity and love for others like the Savior had/has. His scripture study was purposeful and led to pondering so that he could know the mysteries of God. And truly he was one who had the mysteries opened to him. I want to "pierce the veil" as B. Wernli suggests in this email and as Nephi clearly did. // 2 Nephi 4:16 "My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard." Once he has pierced the veil he doesn't stop thinking about those teachings. He wants to remember. This appreciating and pondering seem to be outside of his scripture study and his pondering of the scriptures, but maybe not. I suppose the "things of the Lord" incorporate anything, hard to know what he means or if he was thinking of something specific when he said that.
3. 1 Nephi 16:21-24 I love this story of Nephi making a new bow and then inquiring of his father where to get food. For me this is the quintessential example of faith with works. He put for the effort to make himself ready to hunt, then trusted that the Lord could show his father the prophet.
This passage also reminds me that Nephi felt frustration and maybe even anger towards his brethren that had so little faith, and that murmured at anything and everything. I am no Nephi and my family is not like Laman and Lemuel, but I still feel frustration and even anger towards them at times and it would be much more productive to be able to refine my ability to recognize feelings contrary to the spirit when I'm angry or frustrated and learn to repent quickly. Nephi talks about this in 2 Nephi 4. In verses 13 and 14 he reviews the conflict he has with them and in verses 17 - 19 he talks about how he sins and his iniquities. But he then quickly moves to the mercies of the Lord and I think that gives us some insight into how effectively he is able to repent, how agile he is. I think any of us could practice this ability to quickly repent "on the fly".
You can pray in your mind and in your heart at any time and quickly (i've heard we think at about 400 words per minute). The key is recognizing the moments when repentance is needed. Then prayerfully recognizing needing repentance for the thoughts and feelings we were just having, prayerfully committing not to do it again, prayerfully asking for forgiveness, prayerfully expressing gratitude for the blessings we know we will receive. This can be done so fast and so many times in a day. We are never closer to the lord than when we are repenting. Of late I have prayed fervently in the morning to feel the spirit through out the day. I think implementing more specific repentance through the day will mean that I am able to feel more of the spirit throughout the day or maintain happy feelings of the spirit.
4. 1 Nephi 10:17 This passage shows that Nephi had faith, he recognized it in his father. He had the desire to see and hear the same things that his father had. And he knew that through the Holy Ghost he could have the same experience. And he also tells us that all of us can have the same experiences through the Holy Ghost. What then keeps me from having those same experiences? Is it that I am not diligent enought? Or is it that I don't have enough faith?
This still goes back to the original question, can I be like Nephi and not be a Sam who is content with what he already has but reach out for something more like Nephi. I don't think Nephi was ever content to take it at his father's word. But was that because he knew he was going to need to prepare to be the next spiritual leader when his father was gone, or was he chosen to be the next spiritual leader because no one else was as prepared as he was? Something tells me that he and Jacob just had that inherent desire to be close to the Lord and worked for it, and by doing so drew themselves close to the Lord thus qualifying themselves to be prophets.
5. 1 Nephi 2:16,18 He had great desires to know the mysteries of the Lord. This was his passion. He was always thinking about it. He really wanted to know anything and everything he could learn from the Lord. I want to desire the same thing, yet I seem to be so distracted by everything else. And lately I think I'm more distracted by CrossFit and taking care of the kids than anything else. I guess work gets in the way somewhat too. But I know that I find the most joy and satisfaction when I am deeply engaged in the work and study of the gospel. Keep going...
6. 2 Nephi 5 I want to add this chapter to the list as it describes the work ethic and efforts of Nephi and his people. "They lived after the manner of happiness" and he then contrasts it with the lifestyle of the Lamanites. He was so industrious. How was he so effective in working and leading his people and yet still had time to ponder and study and write the things of the Lord. Did he put less effort towards his family to have enough time to do the other things? I feel like that is where my time goes.
When I consider all these things I find myself not terribly surprised with his experiences contained in 1 Nephi 11-14. In fact, I don't doubt that if you and I follow his life and habits, we too will experience what he experienced (see D&C 76:114-118). Obviously neither of us have had the experiences that he has had which suggest we have some room to improve. Although this is the case, I think, as you are suggesting in your email, we ought to improve until we too pierce the veil... this ought to be our goal.
One of the things that I take comfort in is Nephi's words which he gave in 2 Nephi 4:17-28. It helps me to understand that even a Nephi who had "seen so great things" gets frustrated with his weaknesses of the flesh and finds himself stumbling. I may not have as quick of spiritual reflexes as he has to immediately repent and get over my frustration and trust in the Lord's mercy. I find myself stalling in my frustration for my actions/thoughts...
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