So far there isn't mention of the word remember - but studying from beginning to end for the first time since High School, I will admit the impact of reading this time is completely different for me! Call it maturity, wisdom, or whatever, the spirit is much stronger as I read and I am getting much more out of the story of Nephi than I ever did before. I'd like to think it's because my focus is to enrich my spirit and gain a stronger testimony for myself of the scriptures that makes it better. "With pure intent" as they say.
Nephi had to be one faithful dude! For him to put up with Laman and Lemuel baffles me. Sometimes I find myself annoyed by such trivial things. They literally beat Nephi and he still put up with them. I'll admit I've wondered why they weren't "accidentally" drowned at sea. How easy would it have been for Heavenly Father..."Whoops...look at that huge wave that just took Laman and Lemuel overboard!" Opposition in all things had something to do with it I'm sure, but also if there's anything else good to come of them is this: My goal in life is to NOT be like Laman and Lemuel. They had to be reminded of God's power, touched by the spirit, visited by angels all the time to stay on the straight and narrow. I have reflected on this fact since I read these chapters and I regrettably can recall the spirit testifying that Heavenly Father will always take care of me and I still struggle to believe it all the time. *sigh* I am a work in progress.
The story of Nephi cutting of Laban's head has always bothered me. How can the commandment be "Thou shalt not kill." and murder be an unforgivable sin and yet God commands Nephi to do just so? 1 Nephi 4:13 states, "Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." Laban had to go. Plain and simple. We would not have these sacred scriptures because Jerusalem was to be destroyed. Laban wasn't going to keep them safe - He was wicked. Somehow Nephi HAD to get them. The Lord provided the way. How faithful Nephi had to be to be able to do everything the Lord asked of him. I hope I can be that faithful. I want to get to the point where when I get a prompting I don't even second guess at all. I just DO!
My favorite verse 1 Nephi 7:12 "Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to His will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in Him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to Him."
That is going to go in vinyl on my living room wall. "Wherefore, let us be faithful."
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