Nephi

So right now, Nephi is my favorite person in the scriptures. They always ask you who you'd like to meet from the scriptures and I've never really had like, an answer! I started the Book of Mormon a few days ago, using my awesome journal. I feel like I'm really making it a more personal read this time. The journal I'm using is really wonderful and is helping me really search and read the chapter that I'm reading. I get excited to read every morning because I get to actually look for things instead of just reading and waiting for something to pop out.

This morning, something popped out and got my attention. I love when that happens. That's why I love reading the Book of Mormon with a fresh, brand new one because things pop out differently and I'm not constantly reading the same notes that have been in my book since I was 8 years old. I still keep every Book of Mormon I've ever read/used, and it really is wonderful to know that I've gone through so many, and maybe someday they'll be shared, but for now, I love my little BOM collection.

Okay, sorry. Let's get back to the scripture that stuck out to me this morning. I was reading in 1 Nephi chapter 4. Nephi is commanded to go back and seek the plates of brass from Laban with his brothers Laman, Lemuel, and Sam. Of course, Nephi's brothers complain and were scared and Laban took all their possessions instead of giving them the plates. They went back into the wilderness and Nephi was given a prompting to slay Laban but he didn't want to kill someone, but the Lord persisted that he would deliver Laban into Nephi's hands and that it was the commandment of the Lord and after, Nephi would have the plates.

Now let's pause for a second. That's me, trying to sum up the entire chapter.

Basically, Nephi listening to the Lord, even when he didn't want to do what was commanded, is such an example to me. I know sometimes I fear what the Lord wants isn't what I want, and I have to remember that's not what HIS will is for. His will isn't to satisfy my wants, His will is to satisfy his wants for my future, because He knows best. He truly does. And I need to be like Nephi and follow the Lord and his commandments even if I may not want to.

I decided to read chapter 5 as well, and this is when Nephi slays Laban, puts on his clothing, takes the plate and tells Zoram (a guard) to come with him into the wilderness to search for the brothers (Laman, Lemuel and Sam). They do so, the brothers flee thinking it's really Laban, and then they realize it's Nephi, and Nephi asks Zoram to follow them and the Lord, etc. The plates finally make it back to Lehi (Nephi's father) and Lehi opens them and they contain a lot of things like the five books of Moses and prophecies from holy prophets from the beginning.

Here comes the scripture that stuck out this morning.
After looking through the plates of brass, Lehi began to prophesy concerning his seed saying,
18 "That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed."
So of course, I highlighted that because that's always a good scripture to remember. This work WILL come forth to EVERYONE.

This is where I feel it was most important to me this morning.
21 "And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children."
22 "Wherefore, it was wisdom in the Lord that we should carry them with us, as we journeyed in the wilderness towards the land of promise."

Did you just get the chills? Did the lightbulb turn on? Seriously, so amazing.
Here, let me explain.

Verse 21: us obtaining "the records" is us receiving the Book of Mormon. When we read the book and study it out, we have "searched them" and most of the time, if not ALL the time, we "found that they were desirable;" And they are always of great worth unto us. Always. These books mean everything to me. Especially my set of scriptures that I got when I was 8. If my house was burning down, those sets of scriptures would be the first thing I'd take with me. Oh man. I love when you can relate to verses even when the verses themselves are referring to something a long time ago.

Verse 22: "we should carry them with us." - the scriptures, we should carry them with us wherever we go, and that could be physically. But I think what this scripture means is to carry them in our heart and mind. No wrong will come upon us, if we constantly have that spirit with us. And when we're thinking of the Book of Mormon, and those who struggled or succeed in times we may be struggling or succeeding then we will always have the Lord with us. We must carry them with us as we journey through the wilderness (earthly journey) towards the land of promise (celestial kingdom). I know for a fact this book will help us achieve our celestial glory. It's influence in my life has been nothing but positive and I will ALWAYS need that. The Lord really means it, the prophet means it, the twelve mean it, your bishop means it, your parents mean it, your friends mean it, etc. when they say this Book leads to never ending happiness and can help you through anything in your life.

I testify that I know this to be true. In His sacred name, Amen.