And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, [Huh. Who would have thought the YOUNG one would be the one to think of this...] nevertheless being large in stature, and also 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. (1 Nephi 2:18)
What a wonderful blessing - to have your heart softened... to understand... to believe.
After this experience, Nephi returned home, where his father gives him an assignment from the Lord: travel 12-14 days back to Jerusalem and retrieve a codex made of brass plates from a distant cousin, Laban. Nephi's response???
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 that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. (1 Nephi 3:7)
Crazy what we have here - a son who actually is willing to obey his father when what is asked is absolutely insane. I have to admit, I might have said "Yeah, I'll go do it for ya", but I would probably have been thinking, "Are you out of your cotton-pickin' gourd!? You brought us all the way out here in the middle of NOTHIN', and now you want me to go back and get a BOOK???" But not Nephi, no. Why??? Was he being naive?? or was he an innocent with pure and childlike faith? (Matthew 18:3-4)
Look at what he says: "...for I know ...". Nephi didn't have any question about what his father was asking him to do. He knew that his father was a prophet and that "the Lord hath commanded." He also knew that God would provide a way. He had no doubts. There was no "Are you out of your mind!?" There was only faith.
Nephi set off with his three brothers: Laman, Lemuel, and Sam. They journeyed those 2 weeks or so back to Jerusalem and attempted to get the plates that were so important to their father and to their God. They didn't know why these plates were so important - they just "went and did".
They tried 2 different strategies to get the plates from Laban (1 Nephi 3:9-27). Both failed miserably, and led to Nephi being blamed for the failure to retrieve the plates AND the loss of all their worldly wealth. Laman and Lemuel were so furious they began beating Nephi and Sam with sticks. It is quite likely (knowing more of the story than I've told here) that they firmly intended on killing their brothers. They were only prevented from doing so by the appearance of a chastising angel, come to save Nephi's life, and strengthen his faith.
Before the angel came, what was in Nephi's heart? (What would have been in yours?) Was he confused and hurt, wondering why God had "abandoned" him? Wondering why - when he was trying to do the Lord's will, nothing was going right? (Man, I've felt that way a number of times!) The answer is found in what he said and did after the angel departed:
Let us go up again...and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth.... (1 Nephi 4:1)
Did the angel's appearance and presence - not to mention his words (1 Nephi 3:29) - strengthen Nephi's faith and resolve to be obedient? I think so....
So what does that have to do with me or you? I mean, I don't know about you, but I've never had an angel appear to me (at least, I don't think so!), yet my faith needs strengthening on a regular basis. Yet, I know that the Lord has reached out and touched me, strengthening, uplifting, and helping me on my way. So the question now is...
What touches from the Lord, what "angels" have appeared to you to
lend you strength and resolve?
Nephi convinced his brothers to give it one more try - I'm pretty sure they were very reluctant, despite the angel's promise that "the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands". I can almost hear the argument outside the city walls: "There is absolutely NO WAY we're going in there! You want this so badly - YOU go do it!" Obviously, Laman and Lemuel didn't believe Nephi could get the plates. We don't know anything about Sam's feelings at this point. Nephi was, to all appearances, "going it alone", relying solely on his faith in God.
"I will go and do..." "Let us go up again..."
Written words are so cold - they don't really tell us how intense the battle was in Nephi's heart to do this thing the Lord required of him. And when he got inside the city, the battle in his heart only raged even more. He came upon Laban, drunk and unconscious, laying in the street. (1 Nephi 4:7-13) He was commanded by the Holy Spirit to cut off Laban's head because "It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." (verse 13)
But Nephi's heart struggled against such a thing... "I shrunk and would that I might not". How long did the battle rage in his heart between what he felt and what he knew the Spirit told him was necessary? What sorrow did he feel? What revulsion?
There are times that our Father in Heaven asks us to do things that we think are simply impossible, unbearable, or unbelievable. We struggle with what our own feelings are telling us versus what the Spirit is so quietly whispering in our hearts. We agonize for so long - and sometimes lose the opportunity to receive incredible blessings because of our procrastination.
Nephi did what he was commanded despite his own feelings, and because of that obedience he and his family were blessed for countless generations. He continued throughout his life to be obedient to what God asked of him, despite any doubts, BECAUSE HE KNEW GOD AND TRUSTED HIM IN ALL THINGS.
Sorry - had to make that really emphatic, because that's what we need - complete faith that God loves us and will always do what's best for US, no matter what we might happen to think. We are the children of a most glorious, loving Father who wants the very best for each of His sons and daughters. Let us be like Nephi, obedient and faithful in all things, so that we too can be blessed.
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