God Doesn't Give You Solo Jobs

In 1 Nephi chapter 2, Lehi wished that Lemuel would be steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and that Laman would be continually running to the fountain of all righteousness. This infers, to me, that they did keep the commandments at times, they were just inconsistent and wavering. This is emphasized by the fact that right after they saw the angel who told them the Lord would deliver Laban into their hands, they began to doubt and fear, and thought their task was impossible.

Lehi didn't ask them to start keeping the commandments or to begin running to the fountain of all righteousness, but to be steadfast and to continue.

Nephi, on the other hand, knew that if the Lord gave a commandment, then it wasn’t an impossible task. The Lord would be there to help you accomplish it, if you had faith. (1 Ne. 3:7)

I try really hard to remember that, and to keep faith in the Lord when He commands. But I could certainly do better, especially when things get hard, at remembering this, and that the “tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.” (1 Ne. 1:20) He delivered the sons of Lehi from Laban, and delivered Laban into their hands so they might fulfill His (the Lord's) commandments. He will do the same for us, if we have faith. All my life I have seen, again and again, examples of this-- the Lord will help you keep the commandments He gives you.

Nephi's Thoughts on the Book of Mormon

I finished reading 2 Nephi today. I'm always amazed by the strength of Nephi's testimony and how powerfully he writes (even though he humbly claims to have written "in weakness"- 2 Ne. 33:4). He's definitely one of my heroes-- someone I'm truly looking forward to meeting (or reuniting with?) someday.

Anyway, I was just impressed by his thoughts on what he was writing. Check this out:

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. (2 Ne. 33:10)

It's amazing what Nephi recommends for the Book of Mormon skeptic: believe in Christ. If you do, then there's no way you can deny what the Book of Mormon teaches, because it is the word of Christ.

What does the Book of Mormon teach? It teaches all men that they should do good. That's what Christ taught (and did). What a wonderful message.

Scripture of the Week

This might be an ongoing feature, and it might not.

This morning I was reading in 1 Nephi (in the Book of Mormon) and I came across this little gem in chapter 17, verse 13:

And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

Awesome stuff. For those of you who don't know, this is Nephi writing, a prophet-historian from about 600 B.C., as he and his family are journeying from Jerusalem to the promised land (or the Americas, as they most certainly were not known as then). It's always very inspiring to me to read of Nephi's courage and faith when it comes to certain commandments from the Lord that must have seemed daunting. Just like in 1 Ne. 3:7, he always shows a willingness to do whatever the Lord asks, because he knows that God won't leave us hanging; He will prepare a way for us to fulfill His commands.

Basically this verse is kinda helping bring the thought home that God is always there for us, ready to direct us to the happiness He has in store. Though the road may seem dark, or the sea may seem to stretch out forever, we need not fear; we're in good hands... the best hands.