1 Nephi 3-4

1 Nephi 3-4

“…behold it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records…”

These chapters are all about the journey of Nephi and his brothers to obtain the plates of brass on which are written the Law of Moses, the words of the prophets, and a genealogy of their fathers. This is comparable in our day to our own scriptures. We not only have these records but also the records which were kept by Nephi and his people. Nephi seems to have understood the importance of these records for his posterity. In verse 19 of chapter 3, he points out to his brothers (after the first failed attempt to get the plates) how critical these records will be for them…he also uses examples from their history which are well known to the family to show that the Lord has all power to deliver these plates into their hands (chapter 4 verses 2-3). His heart is obviously turned both to his fathers (chapter 4 verse 2) and also to his children (chapter 3 verse 19) as he seeks to do the Lord’s will in this task. (See also Malachi 4:5-6). Because of Nephi’s knowledge of the Lord’s hand in the lives of his ancestors, he knows and has faith that the Lord will also help him to do what he has been commanded to do. He also resorts back to this understanding of the importance of these records for his children in what may have been the most difficult task for him…taking the life of Laban (chapter 4 verses 14-16). I used to wonder why the Lord chose this particular way for the plates to be delivered to Nephi and his people. It is certainly illustrative of the importance that the Lord places on the words of the prophets…on the scriptures. I doubt that Nephi ever after took these things for granted in his life as perhaps we sometimes do.

What are we willing to give up in our own lives to make the scriptures and the words of the prophets a priority? What are we doing to “preserve these things for our children”?

Approaches to the challenges in life

The three attempts of the sons of Lehi to get the plates are illustrative to us of ways that we perhaps approach life or challenges in life. The first attempt was essentially an attempt by chance. They drew lots to see who would go and ask for the plates. Are there times in our lives that we leave important things to chance? What are the results when we do that?

In the second attempt, the boys tried to purchase the plates. Perhaps this was prompted by the accusations of Laban that they were robbers (verse 13). Are there things in our lives that we rely on our own strength for…that we try to purchase? The most important things in life cannot be purchased.

The third and successful attempt was one in which Nephi totally relies on the Lord. He puts total faith in the Lord and is led “not knowing beforehand” the things he should do.

It is interesting to note that the first attempt was basically “no plan”, the second was “my plan”, and the third was “the Lord’s plan”. Which approach to life or challenges do we most often use? I know that it is when I use the third approach that I have the most success in my life. It may or may not be the easiest way, but it has always proven to be the most effective way and the way in which I not only learn and grow the most, but also the way in which I see the Lord’s hand more fully in my own life.

So my question for myself today is “How can I more fully trust in the Lord’s plan? What am I doing in my life to be sure that I can be led by Him…even sometimes “not knowing beforehand” the things I should do…but nonetheless being fully led by Him.

Miraculous events do not produce faith

As a child, I used to wonder and even remember asking the question…how is it that Laman and Lemuel could continue to murmur after having had an angel come and speak to them. They had just seen an angel and yet they continued to murmur. That was incomprehensible to me. In fact, as I realized later, they had multiple manifestations from the Lord in their lives and still they turned away from the Lord…even seeking to take the lives of their father and of their brother…multiple times.

I continued to wonder and didn’t find an answer to this question until my adult years. I found the answer in the bible dictionary under the topic of “faith”. It says “Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith.” If you think about it, we see miracles every day of our lives. The very rising of the sun, the fact that grass grows, the simplest things we take for granted are truly miracles when you stop to examine, think, and consider. Two scriptures come to mind. In Moses 6:63, the Lord says, “…all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me…” And D&C 88:47 says, speaking of the earth and planets and our solar system, “Behold, all these are kingdoms and any many who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.” As Alma points out later in the Book of Mormon, “…I have all things as a testimony” that there is a God. (Alma 30:41)

Indeed, if we fail to see divinity in the small and simple things, how can we expect to see it in the great things. Obedience and righteousness are prerequisites to great faith. As John 7:17 says, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

Questions for pondering

So what do I take away from these chapters for my daily ponderings? Nephi was the link between his fathers and his children…just as I am the link between my fathers and my children. Is my heart turned fully towards both my fathers and their examples and toward my children and my responsibility to teach and pass on the truths I’ve learned to them? How can I more fully be worthy of the spirit of the Lord to guide me in the tasks that are set before me? Are my obedience and righteousness before the Lord such that I can develop great faith? Can I say as Nephi did, “As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.”? (1 Nephi 3:15) Will my faith be such that I recognize the Lord’s hand in my life and see the miracles he places before me? …or will I fail to see even after great manifestations? A wise person once said that “every bush is a burning bush for those who have eyes to see.” I pray that I and my posterity will have eyes to see.