Week 2: 1 Nephi 14 – 2 Nephi 10
Isaiah
- At the end of 1 Nephi Isaiah beings this week! I learned while reading the Old Testament last year that as I actually paid attention while reading Isaiah, and looking at footnotes when I was confused, so much of it was made clear.
- Remember it’s more poetry than anything – and when reading it that way and giving it that viewpoint, it helps to become a little more clear.
Pattern of Prayer: 1 Nephi 15: 8-11
- Pattern of prayer and how to receive answers.
- Will answers come every time? Maybe not. Maybe in a different way that’s difficult to see.
- President Nelson gave us a pattern for prayers in the April 2018 Sunday Morning General Conference talk. He said:
- In like manner, what will your seeking open for you? What wisdom do you lack? What do you feel an urgent need to know or understand? Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
- Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”9 Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!
- Think about what you can implement into your life from these scriptures and President Nelson’s words. Maybe just add one thing into your daily routine and see how it changes things for you.
Act Instead of React: 1 Nephi 16
- One of Nephi’s infamous stories about his bow breaking after everyone else had already broken theirs – and everyone is so annoyed. Really, they probably just got Hangrey. However, it becomes a problem. Even Lehi is having a rough time.
- First, I love that we see the prophet struggle here. It’s important to remember the prophets and leaders of the church are regular people. They have real emotions and real feelings and they are not perfect. If they were perfect they wouldn’t be on Earth with us any more.
- I love that Nephi ACTS. Sometimes in the thick of our trials and moments of depression or moments of being hangrey – we sit around and are grumpy.
- Nephi teaches a valuable lesson. He gets to work. He starts making another bow. THEN he goes to Lehi and asks him where he should hunt. Nephi recognizes that Lehi is the prophet – Lehi is the leader of their family. HE is the line of authority – so to speak – and can receive that answer.
- Lehi goes and humbles himself and inquires of the Lord and then is chastened – and then they find the Liahona.
- 1 Nephi 16:28-29
- Nephi goes to the mountain to find food, and finds it. He brings it back and everyone is so happy and humbles themselves.
- This made me wonder – do I humble myself, before or after the trial? It may depend on the trial – and how long it’s lasting. Haha.
- In our moments of struggle and trial maybe we can do better to recognize and ask the Lord for humility and see Him more clearly.
Nothing is Impossible with Him: 1 Nephi 17
- They have finally arrived at this beautiful beach!
- They traveled for EIGHT years in the wilderness. EIGHT YEARS!! That’s a really long time.
- They have all they need. They probably feel so great!
- 1 Nephi 17:7
- NO HESITATION. Nephi is going to be known for that to me. The Lord told him to go to the mountain, so he went to the mountain.
- Then he’s told to construct a ship “after the manner which I shall show thee.”
- Nephi is then told where to find ore to make tools.
- It’s interesting b/c then he makes a bellow. I believe that this is a skill Nephi actually had and knew. In part of 2 Nephi for this week, Nephi also talks about buildings and making tools and teaching his people how to do that. So I believe that Nephi actually did know how to work with ore.
- Then of course – his brothers just couldn’t help themselves. They had to start mocking him and asking him how he’d build a ship, and how he’s foolish and being led away.
- I love what Nephi does. He starts asking them about the Children of Israel and how they were in bondage and then Moses was commanded to come and help them. He goes through all the miracles that these people encountered. The Red Sea. The mana. The rock and the water. Etc. Then he talks about how the Lord always keeps His word. He talks about the rejection and how God must do as He says he would. Verse 40 – 41. It doesn’t matter how simple or hard it seems – with God nothing shall be impossible! 46-47
- Nephi is FILLED with the Spirit. He says he’s physically tired from it – but he knows that the Power of God is with him.
- Verse 50 – 51: He’s just talked about the miracles. The crazy unbelievable miracles. How is it that He cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship.
- Take that phrase and put in the impossible for you. “How is it that He cannot instruct me to (fill in the blank).”
- If it be the will of the Lord and we are willing – it will be done.
- Nephi is commanded to stretch out his hand so the Lord can shock his brothers. They are amazed and begin worshiping Nephi. He tells them that he’s their younger brother and they need to worship and repent to God – not him.
You are Graven: 1 Nephi 21: 13-16
- He has not forgotten you. It may feel like it at times. For long periods of time. This can be especially hard when we’re in the middle of a mental health problem. I’ve seen it in my personal life and my immediate family. It’s hard if you’re just in the thick of a trial – in the middle. He hasn’t forgotten you. Look for Him to show up – He will. It might be as simple as the sun shining one day or even coming through your window. It might be someone smiling at you or offering help at the grocery store.
- He cannot forget us. He has left those prints on His hands for us to feel and touch and see that He has remembered us and will forever be in His resurrected state.
Because of Jesus – 2 Nephi 10:23-25
- We are saved because of His grace.
- We are saved because He is and will continue to be our advocate
- As we repent He will be there by our side.
- Repentance means to turn – so as we turn to Him and towards Him, we can be changed and become better and more like Him.
Other Thoughts
- Joseph Smith
- 2 Nephi 2:15, 23,24
- No Perfect Parents
- 1 Nephi 22:20, 26, 30, 31
- Another Testament of Jesus Christ
- 1 Nephi 19 (side note verse 12 – Zenos – Jacob 5)
- 1 Nephi 21
- 2 Nephi 2 (22-24 explains why the fall HAD to happen)
- 2 Nephi 6
- 2 Nephi 9
- 2 Nephi 10
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