Day 8: May 31, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 3

Verse 1-4

Lehi has received a vision in which his sons are commanded to return to Jerusalem in order to obtain the Brass Plates. I think that this shows the importance of the scriptures. We know that Lehi and his family basically had to flee in the night so that the Jews wouldn’t be able to follow them and here the Lord is commanding them to go back for Brass Plates. If the Scriptures are that important, including the Book of Mormon, I need to treat them as such. I am working on studying them more diligently and learning from them. I need to remember the hardships that went into preserving these records. What a blessing to be able to open a book an read the words of the Lord. To read about His plan and His commandments and what I need to know so that I might return to Him again. That is indeed a great thing.

Verse 5

Here are Laman and Lemuel murmuring again! This time because they feel like Lehi is asking too hard of a thing for them. Lehi reminds them that the commandment is not from him but rather from God. I think it is pertinent in my life to remember that the Prophet, Apostles, and other church leaders are not the ones that are making the commandments or giving the counsel. They are the mouthpiece for the Lord. As I have studied the Book of Mormon in the past I can remember passages which remind me that nothing is too hard with for the Lord and if he wants it done we can do it.

Verse 7

Of course this is a famous scripture passage where Nephi tells his father that he will, “go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded. For I know that the lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” I have read this passage and memorized this passage and heard this passage time and time again. But do I fully understand and believe what Nephi says? I want to believe it. The Lord will never ask us to do more then we can handle. He will help us to overcome any obstacle and figure out any problem that we need to. He doesn’t ask us to do things that are too hard which out helping us to accomplish them.

Day 7: May 30, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 2

Verse 19

Nephi is told that he is blessed because of his faith and diligence in seeking the Lord. I want to develop my faith more in the Savior Jesus Christ and exercise that faith by calling on my Heavenly Father more. I think Nephi is a great example of always praying. I have been taught that we should pray always. I know that my thoughts are not focused on the Savior as much as they should be during the day. I don’t think to pray enough throughout the day and it is something that I need to learn from Nephi and apply to my life better.

Verse 20-22

Nephi is promised that if he keeps the commandments he will prosper and be led to a land of promise. The same blessing and promise is given to me. If I am faithful in keeping the commandments the Lord promises to bless me with the things that I need. He will guide me toward the ultimate promised land of the celestial kingdom if I am willing and obedient to his commandments. The reverse is said to those who do not keep the commandments. Those who rebel against the commandments will be cut off from the presence of the Lord. I am so grateful to know that He is there for me. I do not want to know what it would be like to be cut off from him. I am going to continue in striving to do what is right and keep the commandments. I may fall but through the atonement I can repent and move forward again.

Day 6: May 29, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 2

Verse 16

Nephi describes himself in this verse. He states that he is young. I am only 26 so I think I can still be considered young, just like Nephi. He talks about his great desire to know the mysteries of God. He has listened to all that his father Lehi has taught him and he now wants to know for himself. I, like Nephi, was taught of the goodness of God. At a young age I knew that I was a child of God and that he had a plan for me, because I was taught by my parents. There came a point, however, when I needed to come to know for myself if the things that my parents had taught me were true. So just as Nephi did in this verse, “I did cry unto the Lord…” Now Nephi was visited by the Lord as an answer to prayer. I didn’t have quite the same answer. My answers came in a number of settings and in very quiet ways. I remember when I found out for myself the Joseph Smith was a true prophet and that he did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I was probably about 10 or 11. We had the missionaries in our home and they asked if they could teach us the first lesson as if we were investigators. So they taught us of Joseph Smith and of the Restoration of the Gospel. I remember feeling the spirit during that meeting. At the end they asked us to join them kneeling in prayer. Each of us to a turn to pray to our Father in Heaven to ask if the things that the missionaries had taught us were true. I remember having an overwhelming feeling come over me as I prayed. I knew that the things which I had been taught all my life were true. It was a neat experience. As I grew, I wondered if I had ever really gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I never doubted that it was true, but I never specifically asked either. So I knelt in prayer and asked heavenly father if the book of Mormon was true. I didn’t feel any different. At first I was frustrated, thinking that the Lord hadn’t answered me. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that I already knew that it was true and that is why I didn’t feel different. I knew that the scriptures were the word of God.

Verse 17

After Nephi prays to know the mysteries of God and has a visitation, he goes to his brother Sam and tells him all that he has heard and seen. What a good example of missionary work. I have been blessed with knowledge of the truth. I need to be more active in sharing with those around me my testimony.

Verse 18

Next Nephi states that Laman and Lemuel do not listen to what he has to teach them. Nephi is sad that they will not accept the gospel and he cries unto the Lord for them. I need to be more concerned with the welfare of my fellow men. I can do this by praying for more opportunities to serve other and to have the Lord put me in the path of someone who is in need. And then I need to heed those promptings that I receive and trust him as I serve others.

Day 5: May 28, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 2

Verses 9-10

Here Lehi names the River and the Valley in which they pitched their tents after Laman and Lemuel and told them he wished that they were more like these things. That Laman would be like the river constantly flowing towards the fountain of righteousness and that Lemuel would be like the valley firm and steadfast in keeping the commandments of the Lord. I really like how Lehi uses these visuals to teach principles to his children. I often learn best when I have a visual example. I think the counsel and analogy that Lehi makes here are things that I too can work on in my life. I can be firm and steadfast in keeping the commandments and continue towards righteousness. I have a desire to do go continually and to draw closer to my Heavenly Father.

Verse 12

I find it interesting that Laman and Lemuel murmur because they don’t know about Heavenly Father and his dealings. They haven’t taken the time to find out what the Lord has planned for them and of his love for them. Because of that they don’t understand why they have left their homes and gold to go into the wilderness. I sometimes complain when I don’t understand the importance of things. I can learn from the bad examples of Laman and Lemuel and desire to have a greater understanding of the Lord’s plan for me. Also I can learn to trust the Lord so that even when I don’t completely understand, I can at least be willing to go forward knowing that He understands.

Day 4

Day 4: May 27, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 2

Verse 1

The Lord is speaking to Lehi in a dream telling him he will be blessed for his efforts in declaring the truth unto the people in Jerusalem. I have written next to this scripture the word Texas. I had the opportunity to serve a mission in Dallas Texas. What a blessing it was to go forth in the service of my Heavenly Father and teach his children in Texas the truth of his gospel. Because of depression I had to come home early from my mission. This scripture helps me to know that I did all that I was supposed to do there in Texas. It says “…thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded the….” I feel like I did what was required of me in the service of the Lord.

Verse 3

Lehi is obedient to the Lords commands. He is asked to take his family in the wilderness. Of course I am not asked to go anywhere, leaving behind my home and processions, but I am given commandments that the Lord expects me to follow and fulfill. I can follow Lehi’s example and be “…obedient unto the word of the Lord…” and do “…as the Lord commanded….”

Verse 4

Lehi leaves behind all of his worldly processions when he leaves Jerusalem taking only his family and some need provisions. I think something that I need to work on in my life is being less concerned with the items that I own. I think that I sometimes get too caught up in the material. Too concerned about clothes or other items. I need to be grateful for the roof over my head, the food I eat and for my family. These are the things that Lehi had when he journeyed into the wilderness. I know that my family is far more important to me than worldly wealth.

Verse 7

Lehi and his family travel for a few days and then pitch their tents. After all that they had been through, being persecuted by the Jews, being asked to leave their home and worldly wealth, starting out a long physical journey, the first thing Lehi does after pitching his tent is build an alter and thank the Lord. Wow. I will be the first one to say that I am a complainer. I have a small trial or obstacles placed in my way and I find things to complain about. Even when life is going pretty smoothly. I need to be more grateful to the Lord for the blessing I am given daily, and even for the trials that are set along my way. They are there to help me to grow and become the person that the Lord needs me to be. Gratitude is so important and should be expressed often.

Day 3

Day 3: May 26, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 1

Verse 11

In this verse Lehi is given a book and bade that he should read it. As I have read this passage I always think of the Book of Mormon and the other scriptures. I am given the words of the Prophets and I am commanded to read and ponder them. Last night I was talking to some of the girls in my apt complex and we were talking about how we would be devastated if we lost a set of our scriptures. Mainly we were talking about our mission scriptures but the more I thought about it I realized that each set of scriptures were used at a different stage of my life. As I studied and read them I marked passages that had different meanings for me then than they would now. I am grateful that each time I read the Book of Mormon I can learn something new or have old learnings become new again.

Verse 12

As Lehi read the book he was given he was filled with the spirit. I notice a big difference in the course of my day when I read the scriptures verses if I forget to read. I have more clarity of mind and I am usually in a more positive attitude when I have partaken of scripture study. By reading and searching the scriptures I can be filled with the spirit just as Lehi.

Verses 14-15

By reading the words of the Lord, Lehi sees His great goodness and praises him. I love that image of Lehi praising the Lord. How does one praise the Lord? One of my favorite movies is called Facing the Giants. I love this movie not for its great acting, because it’s lacking there, but because of two things. First it’s about football. You can’t get a much better topic than that! But also because it has a great message to it. The football team isn’t doing very good. They have a pretty sad record and there is word of the school uprising against the coach and firing him. As the coach is studying his scriptures one day, trying to decide what he should do in this hard time, he reads something that really hits him. Now I am not sure the reference or what it said exactly but I had to do with praising God and rejoicing in him, even when things are hard or don’t turn out exactly as we would want them to. He places this idea into his players and they become a better team physically, because they are trusting in God, but also in their relationships on and off the field. They praise the Lord in the way that they live their life. They mend bridges between loved ones. They trust each other as a team. I can praise the Lord in the way that I live my life. Sometimes I have hard times and it is hard to see any good, but it is there. I need to recognize this more in my life and rejoice and praise my Heavenly Father for his ever present hand in my life! What a great blessing that is!

Verse 18

After Lehi receives the vision and knowledge from Heavenly Father, he goes forth prophesying. Now, I am not a prophet. That is not my calling in life. I am however a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ. With that comes the responsibility to go forth and share with others the things that I have learned and know are true. I can do this by my example as I apply the teachings in my life and also by speaking and sharing with others about who I am and what I believe. Being at BYU I don’t really know any nonmembers that I can go do missionary work with, but there are friends who may be struggling with things in their life that might benefit from hearing about what I am learning and how I am coming to know the mysteries of my Heavenly Father. I can share these things with them. This is an area that needs great improvement in my life. But I know that I will be blessed and gain greater knowledge and experiences if I choose to follow Lehi and go forth.

Verses 19-20

Lehi is mocked and threatened as he goes forth prophesying to the people. I am probably never going to have things thrown at me or have my life threatened because of my beliefs or because I shared them with others, but I may face persecution in my own life. But I know that if that is my lot to bare, the lord will bless me and be there to uplift me. Nephi states that “the tender mercies of the Lprd are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20). The Lord places these tender mercies in our lives to help us overcome hard situations and to be a guide and comfort to us. I have been blessed with these tender mercies in my life. I desire to continue to qualify myself to receive the tender mercies of the Lord. To do that I need to be one chosen of the Lord. I need to follow his example and keep his commandment. I need to go for doing what I know to be right, in faith and hope, knowing that he is there to help me when I need him. What a wonderful blessing.

Day 2

Day 2: May 25, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 1 Verse 2

Nephi writes in the language of his father, which is after the learning of jews and language of the Egyptians. This shows me that Nephi is a learned individual. I am at a time in my life where I am gaining a great education. I have the opportunity and blessing to be a student at Brigham Young University. It is an institution where I can learn the things I need to further myself toward my career goals, but it also gives me the opportunity to learn things that will be of great benefit in my spiritual development. We are taught that our knowledge will be the only thing that we can take with us when we leave this life. What a great responsibility for us to gain as much education and knowledge as we possibly can, both secularly and spiritually.

Verse 3

Nephi testifies that the record that he is making is true. He isn’t making any of it up and he knows it is true because he is writing it with his own hands and according to his own knowledge. This record that I am making is also written by my own hands, well typed really, but it is according to my knowledge. I know the Book of Mormon is a true record and I know that I can apply it to my life and my situations in life. Thus I know that what I am writing is a true record.

Verse 4

Here Nephi talks about many prophets prophesying that the people in Jerusalem better repent or it will be destroyed. While I have not been told by the prophets that the land will be destroyed where I am currently at if we don’t repent, I know that we are called to repentance by the prophet and apostles. What a great blessing it is to have Prophets and Apostles living on the earth today. I am so grateful for the words that they speak and I know that what they say come directly from Heavenly Father. As I listen to their words in general conference every 6 months we are taught of the things we need to be doing so that we can be found clean at the last day. They teach of the importance of repenting and preparing for the second coming. I see this as a parallel to those prophets of Nephi’s time.

Verse 5

Here Nephi tells us that his father Lehi prayed unto the Lord for the people. He shows great charity and love for his fellow men. This week as I am studying Preach My Gospel, the Christ like attribute I am studying is charity and love. This is something that I am striving to develop in my own life. I want to stop being so focused on myself and my own problems and reach out to those who need a friend or other things in their life. Lehi loves his people. He doesn’t pray for his own behave, but is unselfish and reaches out to those in need. I want to be more like this.

Verses 6-10

Here Nephi describes his father Lehi being overcome by the spirit and the vision that he is caught up in. I didn’t see any direct parallels here to my life. Anyone else have ideas? I think it shows that the spirit can teach and show us all things. I guess that’s something that can impact my life, learning to listen to the spirit as it teaches me.

Day 1: May 24, 2011

1 Nephi Chapter 1 Verse 1

In verse one Nephi introduces himself. He starts by saying that he was born of goodly parents. I have heard this to mean that Nephi’s parents were well off monetarily, but I also think that it means he had good parents who taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is very much like the circumstances in which I was born into. I have been blessed with the best parents. My mom and dad are such great examples to me of how I should live my life. They chose to be sealed in the temple and start an eternal family. They raise me and my siblings with the desire to go to church and to learn about the Savior and his gospel. Dad has always used his priesthood worthily and honored it. I have been blest numberless times by his priesthood through father’s blessings as well as blessing in times of sickness. My mom has always been a wonderful example of how to be a wife and mother. She and dad work together to accomplish things. I am so grateful for their examples and for their testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I truly have been born of goodly parents.

Continuing with verse 1 Nephi talks about seeing many afflictions in his days. I too have seen much affliction. I live in a day in which there is much pain and suffering around the world. There are wars and fighting. There are many natural disasters that ruin homes and countries. I see the pain of children who are abused and treated so badly. I also haves seen how spouses treat their wife or husband with coldness and harsh words. Some of this affliction has been seen from the outside. But I have seen affliction in my own life, and have felt of that pain and affliction. One affliction that I have had to personally deal with is that of getting divorced. I was married to a man in the temple and wanted to have a family with him. As time went on he became verbally and emotionally abusive to me. He would not work but would spend our money on frivorless things and then lie to me about it. Any time I would bring it up he would get so angry with me and tell me to get out of his face or that I was a nag. It hurt me so badly. I have a very hard time with contention and having people mad at me, so I would often times give in and take the blame for things and allow him to treat me this way. As time went on I realized that I was in a bad situation and with much prayer I decided I needed to leave the situation. But it has caused me much affliction in my life.

Right after Nephi talks about the affliction that he has seen he mentioned that he was favored of the Lord. I know that I am a choice daughter of God as well. I have been taught that those born in these days were saved for this time because we were the most faithful in the pre mortal life. I was saved to come in a time where the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth in its fullness. What a great blessing. I know Heavenly Father loves me and that he desires for me to be happy and to return to his presence. I am grateful for this knowledge.

Nephi talks about knowing the goodness of God and of His mysteries. I am learning more about my Heavenly Father and his plan for me now. I know that he is a loving Heavenly Father and that he has a plan for me. I know that he knows the beginning from the end. Now I may not understand fully his plan or why things happen the way that they do but I do know that I can trust him. I can learn of his mysteries as I study the scriptures and draw nearer to him in prayer and in obedience to his commandments.

Last in verse one, Nephi states that he will make a record of his proceedings. I guess this is what I am doing here by writing about what I learn and what I can apply from the Book of Mormon. Even if this is only for my own benefit I feel like this is an important thing for me to do. In time, when I may struggle, I can look back at what I wrote and remember the things that I found in the Book of Mormon that are relative to me. I can remember my story that is in the Book of Mormon. And maybe someday my children will read these words and have a desire to read the Book of Mormon more and develop a better relationship with Heavenly Father and find their story in the Book of Mormon.

Introduction

I have been meeting with Bishop Hill weekly as I strive to make some needed changes in my life. I am trying to be better about doing daily study of the scriptures and have been studying from Preach My Gospel. But the past few weeks Bishop Hill has said some things that really resonated inside of me. First he said that when we want to draw closer to our Heavenly Father we need to turn to the Book of Mormon. Joseph Smith said that “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, then by any other book” (Introduction to Book of Mormon). I have heard and read this passage many times but it had never really made much of an impact but as Bishop Hill talked to me I felt the need to be near to my Heavenly Father. Also last week Bishop Hill told me to find my story in the Book of Mormon. I am not sure that I understood what he meant exactly by that comment but as I have thought about it I feel the need to re-read the Book of Mormon and find things that relate to me in my life. The Book of Mormon was written for me and for this day so there are things that are very relevant to me and to my situation. I am going to start at the beginning of the Book of Mormon and do 15 minutes of reading. I am going to go slowly and anytime I find something that has any correlation to me and my life I am going to write about that correlation. I want to understand what the Lord wants me to learn from this book of scripture. I want my testimony of the Book of Mormon to be re-strengthened and I want to be closer to my Heavenly Father. I will continue doing 15 minutes in Preach My Gospel also as I am studying the Christ like Attributes found there.