Today's reading: 1 Ne 19:7-24

Question of the day: Have there been times in your life when you chose not to retaliate after a wrong was done to you? How did you feel?

I believe there are opportunities around us frequently to forgive quickly in the moment, or to realize that to get defensive is the opposite of what you should do. It's good for us to practice this over and over again. Clearly Nephi had to.

I was impressed with v. 10 when Nephi puts together all that would happen to the Savior as he has learned it from various prophets.  To put scriptural references to things he probably saw in vision helps to solidify his already strong testimony.

Day 8: Today's reading: 1 Nephi 7:1-15

Question of the day: Why do you think it is so important to have a soft heart?

Soft hearts help us to remember the great blessings of the Lord, they help us to recognize the blessings that are available in the situation that we are in. Soft hearts allow us to receive the blessings of the Lord. Nephi had a soft heart. He could see and remember the great blessings of the Lord. What a good example. And he saw the responsibility that was his to help the others understand how the Lord had helped and led them.

Day 7: Today's reading: 1 Nephi 5:7-6:6

Question of the day: The Nephites understood the importance of their genealogy. How has doing your family history made a difference in your life?

Any time I have taken action on anything related to family history I feel the spirit of Elijah. I think the spirit of Elijah includes the love of God that goes between this world of mortality and the spirit world. Just like we feel something special when we do missionary work or serve others, each is an opportunity to tap into charity, the pure love of Christ. This is brushing up against the love of God. 

Day 6: Today's reading: 1 Nephi 4:20-5:6

Question of the day: How can you find comfort in the gospel when times get tough?

The key here is consistency in gospel related habits, in my opinion. There is peace and strength that comes from living the gospel, and sometimes we don't even see it because we are consistently doing it. But when we let it go, especially in the midst of a trial everything becomes worse. Like Pres. Nelson's recent conference talk we can, find joy through any situation because of the gospel of Jesus Christ and because of Jesus Christ Himself. 

A few thoughts from the reading:

1. Zoram was focused on the Elders of the Jews, did he want to be one?
2. Oaths were very important in the relationships between Zoram and the sons of Lehi
3. Had the sons of Lehi taken too long and for this reason Sariah was concerned? 3 days back to Jerusalem, some undetermined amount of time at Jerusalem, and then 3 days back. At a minimum it was 7 days. But maybe they were there longer accomplishing the three attempts to get the plates.
4. Either way Sariah must have felt a significant fear thinking her sons might all have perished and thus leaving the family without the "breadwinners" The sons were the hunters, without their skills and strength it would have been very difficult for them to continue this journey.

Day 4: Today's reading: 1 Nephi 3:9-31

Question of the day: Why didn't the Lord tell Nephi and his brothers exactly how to get the brass plates the first time they went before Laban? What lessons did they learn?

I called them tests in my notes, but here is what I thought:

Test 1: Do they fear God more than Man? They had to approach Laban, directly.  He is a powerful man in their city, well known. I think this would have been very difficult for Laman to put himself in the position of saying he wants the plates for his father's reasons, and not his own, and that this might be embarrassing to ask of someone he probably respected. Laban could have been someone Laman was envious of because of his power.

Test 2: Did they value God more than wealth? Nephi knew there was no value in keeping their families gold and silver as Jerusalem would be destroyed. I'm guessing Laman and Lemuel were holding out in the hopes that they might one day return and receive their inheritance. For this reason, I think they were extremely angry with Nephi when they lost it all. 

Test 3: Can they trust completely in the Lord to deliver Laban just like the angel promised? Nephi is really the one that is best prepared to do this. His heart was already in the right place and his relationship with the Lord was such that he could understand His promptings. 

Day 3: Today's reading: 1 Nephi 2:16-3:8

Question of the day: Why was it important for Nephi to have a "great desires to know of the mysteries of God?"

Desire is where it all begins. Sometimes the most important step we can take is to pray for a desire or a willingness to do something. When we do the Lord will bless us to move a little closer to action. Action always leads to confirmation and greater desire and willingness to take another step. 

Day 2: Today's reading: 1 Nephi 1:16-2:15

Question of the day: What do you admire most about Lehi and his family?

I had this feeling as I read yesterday and today that Lehi went through a major change at this point in his life. Maybe something like a new calling and a recommitment to the Lord and as a result the Lord gave him visions and courage to go and face the people of Jerusalem. I admire Lehi's willingness to face the hard things the Lord asked him to do. Even confronting his sons and leaving Jerusalem where he had spent his entire life. 

1 Nephi 22:10 Cut Off - Listening and Obedience

We are certainly in a time when there are conflicting voices and you CAN see that there are many that do not want to listen to the voice of the Lord.  it Is also difficult to hear the voice of the Lord over voices that impose their own learnings and understandings upon others, even from those that are righteous.  How can I get myself to hear and do what the voice of the Lord tells me?  Then how do I help others to accomplish the same without imposing knowledge or understanding that was meant for me and not someone else.  The Spirit teaches what others need to know, we must teach the most basic truths and doctrines and let others prepare themselves to hear and feel the spirit to teach them what they need.  Then, OBEDIENCE, to whatever we are given.

So key then is each day's preparation and reaching for the spirit.  What will I do each day to feel the spirit?  I can pray and ask for it directly.  Maintain the righteous patterns we have with our children.  Look for ways to serve. Serve in my calling.

1 Nephi 22:8 The Great Covenants

I know many of my comments from these posts, my most recent, and subsequent, will be repeated, but I think they need to be repeated so as to see how they expand out with new thoughts that come as I study.

I call it the Abrahamic Covenant, but I realized that it does have additional names.  Sometimes the other names are used to highlight certain aspects of the greater covenant.  In 3 Nephi 5 Mormon talks about the covenant of Jacob and the covenant of Joseph.  It is very exciting to learn about the covenant of Joseph.  I believe that it is an extension of the covenant that originated with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  We learn more about it in the Book of Mormon, but not necessarily as much in the Old Testament.

I have a lot of questions about how much these covenants relate to the scattering and gathering of Israel. The posterity of Lehi were scattered at the same time that the Gentiles were bringing them the gospel.

The gathering of Israel is the 'Marvelous Work' that is missionary work.  The gathering is the directing of hearts and minds to the Savior Jesus Christ.  He is truly the center of all the great covenants.  The covenants are the servants of God pleading with Father to provide a way to bring about the salvation of their posterity.

The fulfillment of this covenant is the answer that so many other religions can't answer - salvation for ALL of Father's children.  I'm not sure I see how yet, but somehow I believe that the great covenants also are fulfilled by the work for the dead.  Was this work spoken of or promised through these covenants?

The Book of Mormon is quite amazing in how it both prophecies of how the covenant will be fulfilled, especially because Mormon and Nephi and others were so concerned about their posterity.  BUT by its mere existence it testifies that the early prophecies are coming true.  It teaches of the work of the gentiles on this continent, which the Bible does not.  So amazing.  I hope to learn more about it and be able to speak more clearly of it.

Most of what I'm thinking about here stems from Nephi's commentaries of Isaiah.  Again he is thrilled that he can see how his family is fulfilling those covenants, both in being scattered as well as receving posterity with the gospel, priesthood, and promised lands.  How subsequent scatterings and gatherings would take place.

Nephi and other prophets knew that it would be such a help, blessing, and miracle for future generations to have these words so as to be able to see the bigger picture. 

1 Nephi 22: Prophecies of Isaiah

Nephi is commenting on some passages of Isaiah that he shared with his brothers to help them understand the value of the teachings he and his father had received.  I have been pondering these things and specifically the Abrahamic Covenant and it's tie to Nephi's revelations and commentaries.  The thought has been given to me that The Book of Mormon shows us that the Abrahamic covenant has been and is being fulfilled in our day.  Doesn't seem like much of a thought written out but the more I think about it it makes me love the Book of Mormon more.  What a powerful witness it is.  It shows that the Nephites and the Lamanites are part of the 'scattered people'.  Joseph Smith was one of those 'Gentiles' that began the gathering.  Through priesthood keys we receive of the great blessings that were promised to Abraham.

These kinds of words didn't use to mean anything to me, but they do now.  I want that covenant to be in my life.  I want it to bless me with a righteous posterity, sealing blessings, priesthood power and blessings, promised lands, and most of all the blessings of the atonement.

1 Nephi 22:3 'among' all nations

Nephi explains here about the scattering of Israel.  Again, what a joy for him to be able to put forth Isaiah's words to explain what he saw in vision.  The interesting thing this morning for me is the cross reference for the word 'among'.  It leads to the TG guide entry for Inspiration.  I'm not sure I understand that.  My only thought is that Nephi is teaching us that he understood the scriptural references to mean truly that the broken branches would extend into all the world, and that even from reading Isaiah's words that is not necessarily something easily derived.  This of course is just my guessing because I certainly don't know all the references to the scattering of Israel.

1 Nephi 21:23 for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

I'm thinking about this phrase and the different ways it could be interpreted. Because I know that Isaiah was a poet-prophet, I believe that his words can be read in multiple meanings and all still be true. 


Those that wait on the Lord will not be ashamed. In the end they will not be embarrassed. 


Those that wait on the Lord will not be disappointed. 


Those that trust the Lord will be justified, and forgiven of their sins, because of the first coming. 


Those that have long sought the Lord will be richly rewarded as He gathers Israel in preparation for His Second coming.


We won't be ashamed if we serve the Lord. 

The Abrahamic covenant is being fulfilled!

1 Nephi 21:22 The Gentiles a Standard unto Israel

Nephi reads in Isaiah about those that wander in the wilderness and already he feels a kinship with him, but he sees also in Isaiah the same truths that he saw in vision and what great hope Nephi has that someone else has seen the gathering of Israel, people like his that have been 'broken off'.

Denver Snuffer shares the idea that the words of Isaiah are all the words that Nephi is told his not permitted to write from his own vision.  He cannot share the excitement he must have felt at seeing and learning so much in vision with his murmuring brothers who say, "the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us".  But he can remember it clearly as he reads the words of Isaiah.

How will the people of our day come to know, and understand, and love the words of Isaiah as the Nephi did.  Nephi even tells us that he has seen the customs of Isaiah's people.  The references all make sense to him, even the structure of the writing means something to him.

Raiseth Up Nations

In 1 Nephi 17:37 Nephi is teaching us that the Lord will raise up righteous nations and bring to destruction those that are not righteous.  Nephi is making the point to his brethren that that is how the Lord supported Moses as he led the children of Israel out of Egypt, and that this is how the Lord would support the family of Lehi.

Can he do the same for me and my family?  I believe he can. 

1 Nephi 17:25 Nephi Teaches and Reminds of Moses

In 1 Nephi 4, when Nephi and his brothers were working to get the plates, they reached a moment of frustration and disagreement.  Nephi's solution was to teach them that when the Lord commands something he makes it possible for them to accomplish that work.  To drive his point home he used history that was known, understood, and well loved -- the experiences of Moses.

Here again as he goes to build a ship, one that will carry them to a different continent, he is not receiving the support he needs from his brothers.  In his sorrow, anger and frustration, he calls upon the works of Moses to teach his brothers that the power of God can deliver.  The power of God can do all things.

In priesthood just this week I was encouraging the brethren of our quorum that their assignments to fulfill their priesthood responsibilities to home teach came as a result of the keys of the priesthood which I hold for our quorum.  I promised them that they would have the power and insights to reach and bless their families.   I told them that I was uncertain of the scriptural basis for these thoughts but knew that it was true.

One brother taught us that in many places we read about having the power of God, his words struck me as he said that He, God, gives us of his Godliness.  It is to help us to prepare to be like him.

As I studied these words today, I was blessed to read from Moses 1:25 as a cross-reference.  Here the Lord tells Moses that he will be able to command the elements "as if [he] wert God".  As if he were God.  That means he has some of His Godliness.  And the priesthood, the authority AND the developed power, are that Godliness.  Keys represent different portions of the authority of the priesthood.  Power is belief, faith, action and experience that come about through the use of the priesthood and allow us to do progressively greater and greater works.

1 Nephi 16:39 Laman and Lemuel Turn Away their Anger

This last verse of chapter 16 captured my attention for two days.  It sometimes strikes me how easy it can be to have lots of thoughts about simple phrases.

"they did turn away their anger" this phrase is talking about Laman and Lemuel who after having been chastened 'verbally' by the Lord are now ready to turn away their anger. But as I read it I can't help but think that their personalities are not the type to stop complaining and murmuring and this phrase makes me think they just found something more innocuous to complain about.

"the Lord did bless us again with food that we did not perish" I couldn't help but think of other times in the Book of Mormon when the Lord would allow famines to occur so as to help the people remember Him and their complete dependence on him.  In Helaman 11:4 Nephi the prophet asks that the Lord stop the wars going on and replace them with a famine.

In our day the humble store up food in obedience to the commandments from the Lord.

1 Nephi 16:38-39 Nephi's Leadership

Nephi outlines Laman and Lemuel's complaints that were expressed as they traveled in the wilderness.  They were angry with him for acting as a 'ruler' over them.  But the problem was that when it came time to solve problems Laman and Lemuel could not handle it.  They resorted to complaining instead of finding solutions.  Nephi however, knew that he could always turn to the Lord to get answers and when no answer was officially given to move forward and the way would be made clear. It is great faith and trust in the Lord that quickly placed him into the leadership position. I believe he knew that if he didn't act his own family, not to mention his own self, would have suffered at the hands of Laman and Lemuel and their leadership, just as we see later in 2 Nephi when the two factions are created.

How interesting that from the beginning the brothers were tested to see who could accomplish the commandments of the Lord.  Laman and Lemuel wanted to solve their problems by complaining and violence. And then at this time the angel intervenes on Nephi's behalf.  Nephi trusted in the lord and went forth not knowing beforehand the way he should go.  

In verse 39 then we learn from Nephi that his brothers called him a liar, that they didn't believe that angels had ministered unto him.  An ANGEL ministered to all four of the older brethren when they went to get the plates. So why wouldn't it be possible to have other angels minister to him since that time.  They knew it was possible.  They were grasping at straws.

1 Nephi 16:31 Nephi Brings Home the Bacon

 31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild ^abeasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.

After making a new bow and seeking revelation Nephi knows where to go and uses his new bow to find meat for his family to eat.  It is interesting that it is just him now, he didn't take his brothers, was it that their faith wasn't sufficient at this point?

Remember when Joseph Smith and others were praying and they didn't get an answer and one of the brothers (Martin Harris??) excused themselves to pray alone to seek forgiveness. As soon as the brother whose faith was lacking left things started happening again.  

1 Nephi 16:18-24 Murmuring, Complaining and Initiative

The Proclamation to the World on the Family teaches us the need for men to provide for their families, I couldn't help but think of that as Nephi tells us that they went to hunt so they could provide food for their families.  Then his bow breaks and his was the best bow they had, it was made of steel. When they returned without food, their families were pretty disappointed. They were so disappointed that even faithful father Lehi complained.  Why did he do that, the Lord had provided so carefully to this point, how was his faith so weak that he couldn't see that there were yet solutions to be had from the Lord to allow them to continue on.  Could they not remember that they were in the wilderness and that they were not yet to their destination?  I suppose their complaints may have simply been that they were upset that the road they were put on was just too hard.

In our day to day lives to we complain that the road is too hard?  I believe my family is lead through the  "more fertile parts of the wilderness" of life and yet, I too complain to God all the time.

Nephi turns this around by speaking to his family and then going and making a new bow and arrow.  Then he turns to his priesthood leader and expects him to go and get an answer.  What initiative?  Did he pray to have his heart softened?

1 Nephi 16:18 Bows and Arrows

This morning I was thinking about how Nephi went to hunt and his bow of steel broke.  It reminded me that the native americans had bows.  I always thought growing up that they were the first ones to have bows and arrows as the British soldiers didn't use those.

Wikipedia says they have been used for thousands of years by all societies.

Certainly the Native Americans had it handed down from generation to generation as it came through from the family of Lehi.