So this week I have been studying and reading from 1Nephi 1-15. I love the Book of Mormon and learn so many things and ways I can come closer to Christ. I will touch on a few of those here.
First of all, if you are someone that is not familiar with the Book of Mormon and have never read it before I wanted to take a minute and mention a promise and a few things that you can do to find out for yourself of it's truthfulness. I have grown closer to God by reading this book and I want to help you experience what I have. So here is the promise found in the Book of Mormon:
Moroni 10:4-5
"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
Also I love how Joseph Smith tells us in the introduction of the Book of Mormon that, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."
I just have to add my testimony that I know for myself that the Book of Mormon is true. I put the promise to the test and God answered my sincere prayer. Ever since I have tried to live by its precepts and have been getting nearer to God precept by precept. I am grateful for prayer and personal revelation. I am glad the heavens are open and that God speaks to His children through prayer. It has truly changed my life and made it more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed. So take the chance to find out for yourself. It may change your life too!
Okay, so what have I learned this week from the first chapters of 1Nephi?
Lehi had told his family that the great city of Jerusalem was going to be destroyed and they needed to leave their home and belongings and travel in the wilderness to a safer and better place for them. Laman and Lemuel murmured about it and didn't believe their father. They did not want to go. In 1Nephi 2:12 it reads, "And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them." So Laman and Lemual did not ask God for clarification. But Nephi on the other hand wanted to know from God about these things, so he went to God in prayer to ask him about it. In 1Nephi 2:16 it reads, "...having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers."
I love this, because the Lord wants us to know for ourselves and He will personally answer our prayers so we can know for ourselves! What a wonderful thing.
Also, later when Lehi asks them to go back to Jerusalem to get the record of the Jews from Laban, once again Laman and Lemuel murmur and complain. It is far away and Laban is an evil man who could destroy them. It was a hard and scary thing their dad was asking them to do! But I love in 1Nephi 3:5 how Lehi tells Nephi this, "behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord." WOW! The Lord is the one who asked them to do it! Lehi is the prophet that delivers God's word. I love that Nephi's response was, "I 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 to accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." I too have been able to do hard things as I have trusted in the Lord and his promise to help me do all things He asks me to do!
I love in 1Nephi 10:19 where it reads, "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in ties of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."
The Lord is ready and willing to answer our questions and concerns...but we must diligently seek him!
One last thing, I have loved referring to the scripture, 1Nephi 11:17 to comfort me in times of great trial or confusion. It reads, "And I said unto him; I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." So whatever trials or hardships I am called to go through, I may not understand the meaning behind the trial but one thing I am confident of....that God loves me! He has never deserted me in my longings for Him. He has always been by my side and helped me. EVERY time I have reached for Him he has been there for me! And that is a WONDERFUL thing to know!
Good luck in your scripture study. There are personal gems for each one of us as we diligently study and search the scriptures. This is where we find the answers that we need in life to guide us safely back to our loving Heavenly Father.
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