Book of Mormon Challenge: 1 Nephi Chapter 1

While the first chapter of Nephi might seem simple on the surface, we learn quite a bit from it. First of all we meet Nephi, and learn a little about his upbringing. We get a sense, through his writing of what kind of person he was. We also meet his father Lehi, and learn that he was a prophet.

This chapter gives the pattern of how a prophet is led by God. We see that first God inspires the prophet to know what He wants him to do. Then the prophet goes and tells the people God's message. In this case, Lehi's experience was much like Moses' experience. He was visited of the Lord via a pillar of fire, much like the burning bush. The Lord called Lehi to lead his people out of the land, much like Moses led the children if Israel out of Egypt. In this case, Lehi warned the people in Jerusalem that they should repent, and that Jerusalem would be destroyed. They were angry with him, and God warned him to take his family in to the wilderness.

One of my favorite verses in this chapter is the very last verse. Nephi comments that despite the hardships they endured, God blessed them with his "tender mercies". Have you felt the "tender mercies" of God in your life?

Book of Mormon Challenge

I would like to challenge any who might wander over to this blog to read the Book of Mormon with me. You can do so online by clicking the link on the left side of my blog. I will leave my chapter by chapter comments, and I hope you will share your thoughts (and questions) as well.

There are many interesting and thought provoking books to read in the world. I encourage you to take this opportunity to read what we believe is scripture. As you do, I encourage you to look for the witnesses of Jesus Christ.

President Marion G. Romney said:

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67

That's a pretty awesome promise. Try it out with me! :)

Quote of the Day: Orson F. Whitney: Suffering

Orson F. Whitney:

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, . . . builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God.’ . . .

“We knew before we were born that we were coming to the earth for bodies and experience and that we would have joys and sorrows, ease and pain, comforts and hardships, health and sickness, successes and disappointments, and we knew also that after a period of life we would die. We accepted all these eventualities with a glad heart, eager to accept both the favorable and unfavorable. We eagerly accepted the chance to come earthward even though it might be for only a day or a year” ( Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 97–98, 106).

Blessings From Scripture Study

The Book of Mormon gives us several of the blessings that can be had from regular scripture study. In reading these verses, we must keep in mind that the scriptures are often referred to as God's "word".

Power to overcome temptation.

1 Nephi 15:24

24And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

Healing to the "wounded soul".

Jacob 2:8

8And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.

Greater hope and faith.

Jacob 4:6

6Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

A release from the "pains of hell" (sin)

Alma 26:13

13Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?

Quotes of the Day: Emulation of the Savior

Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Surely the best evidence of our adoration of Jesus is our emulation of him”

(Russell M. Nelson, “Gratitude for the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ,” in Brigham Young University 1997–98 Speeches [1998], 349).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Perfect worship is emulation”

(Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, 568).

Latter-Day Hymns: As Zion's Youth in Latter-Days

As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days, no. 256

1. As Zion’s youth in latter days,
We stand with valiant heart,
With promise shining in our eyes,
Resolved to do our part.
Upon a noble past we build;
The future fills our view.
We face the challenge of our day
And pledge we will be true.

2. The truths and values we embrace
Are mocked on ev’ry hand.
Yet as we listen and obey
We know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us,
The sin that would destroy.
With faith, we hold the iron rod
And find in this our joy.

3. Thru test and trial we’ll have our fears,
But we will not despair.
We’re here to serve a righteous cause;
Truth gives us strength to dare.
We’ll love, and learn, and overcome;
We’ll sing a joyful song,
As Zion’s youth in latter days,
Triumphant, pure, and strong.

Text: Susan Evans McCloud, b. 1945. © 1985 IRI

Music: Irish melody; arr. © 1985 IRI

Book of Mormon Sampler: Alma 7:12

‎"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Alma 7:12