Read: 1 Nephi 17-18
Mark: 1 Nephi 17:45
"Inspiration comes more as a feeling than as a sound...We do not have the words (even the scriptures do not have the words) which perfectly describe the Spirit. The scriptures generally use the word 'voice' which does not exactly fit. These delicate, refined spiritual communications are not seen with our eyes, nor heard with our ears. And even though it is described as a voice, it is a voice that one feels, more than one hears." --President Boyd K. Packer
To ponder:
What things have you felt while reading or praying?
It's amazing the different things we see and feel and learn as we read and re-read the Book of Mormon! As I was reading 1 Nephi 17:8, I noticed that it says "...That I may carry thy people across these waters." I never noticed that the Lord says HE will carry Lehi and his family--not the ship but the Lord; how could they not make it? In these scriptures, Laman and Lemuel (again) just really verbally abuse Nephi for a few verses (19-22), but then I just love Nephi's response--he just goes on and on (23-47) and really teaches and preaches to Laman and Lemuel! I wish I could have my thoughts as organized and flowing as Nephi. This is soon followed up by the Lord's 'shock' treatment of Laman and Lemuel! :) Is there any hope for these two??? :)
ReplyDeleteI love in 1 Nephi 17;49-51, the Lord is basically saying: don't complain, don't be lazy, just get busy and obey! What great counsel for every one of us!
Finally after much tribulation, Lehi's family makes it to the promised land!
What have I felt as I have read and prayed? Quite simply, I have felt the Spirit of our Heavenly Father, and that he knows me and loves me. I have felt peace and reassurance that he knows who I am.
As I was reading and pondering this lesson, I noticed 1Nephi 17:3 and the promise given that if the children of men would keep the commandment that he would nourish them, strengthen them and provide the means by which they may accomplish what he has commanded them, and as I was pondering this passage my mind was reminded of when I sat in the lobby of the hospital and of all the wonderful family and friends that fed me and gave me their love and support and how I was able to share the gospel with some of the families who were in my situtation, it isn't anything that I did. It is how Heavenly Father took care of me and also provided me a way that I could share his gospel with other.
DeleteI have felt the spirit as a small still voice when I was reading and pondering the scriptures but I mainly get a warn sweet feeling.
Something I have written in my scriptures is to note the difference between Laman and Lemuel's response to their journey (1 Nephi 17: 20-21) and Nephi's account (1 Nephi 17: 2-3). We begin the chapter with Nephi describing the miracles of their journey: eating raw meat, their wives being healthy and bearing children and providing adequate nutrition for their infants in the wilderness, and the women being strong like the men. And I love later how Nephi mentions that God told them he'd make the raw meat edible for them and would be their light. What a blessing to not have to make fires every night! That's a lot of work to gather the wood and make the fire, not to mention with all the babies how that might be dangerous. I never realized before today what a great blessing that would be for them. But then Laman and Lemuel complain about the same experiences that Nephi described as being mercies from heaven. Something that kind of makes me scoff is how they complain of their wives burdens of bearing their children in the wilderness, and I'm just sitting here like, "Well, you didn't seem to care to much about that in the middle of sex, did you? Typical men." LOL! Laman and Lemuel are the type of people who are never satisfied, no matter what. There's always something they say that might have made them happy (v 21), How often do we catch ourselves saying this? "I'll be happy once I...." I think there was a conference talk a little while back about being happy now. Our happiness isn't conditional on events, but rather is a state of being that we carry with us. Of course, I'm not saying that our life's events don't have merit or weight on our burdens! I'm just saying that truly being HAPPY isn't actually contingent on much of anything but our own attitude.
ReplyDeleteNext thought--1 Nephi 18:1-2: Nephi built the boat according to God's instructions. He didn't try to make sense of it--he just followed! I think that's amazing. And God only showed him "from time to time" and the rest of the time Nephi just kept on working. I wonder what that ship must have looked like. It must have been a real work of art. It obviously was built much differently from any ship they'd seen, so think of how much faith it must have taken to accept that design. Amazing. I just love Nephi.
Lastly, 1 Nephi 18: 16--"Nevertheless, I did look unto my GOd, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions." Wow. How often do I thank the Lord and PRAISE him for my trials? And if I do, it's NEVER in the middle of them! There is definitely power in a positive attitude and in having gratitude and humility toward God. What a great example we have in Nephi!
By the way, Patti, I wanted to let you know that I shared a link to your blog on my facebook page--I hope that is okay! I invited others to read the Book of Mormon and post their thoughts as well. Let me know if you'd like me to take it down. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, I'm so glad you shared the link on Facebook! That is wonderful!!! Patti
DeleteWhen I read the scriptures I have a loving feeling of peace that let's me know I'm not alone and shows me there is a path that I can follow to help me through my journey. Sometimes I get a tingly feeling that runs through my hole body. The same thing happens when I pray to Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteJenny, isn't that tingly feeling wonderful and truly a testimony-building experience?
DeleteSorry I'm late on my posts! I'm reading though!
ReplyDeleteI noticed how awesome Nephi is in these chapters. I always knew he was but take note of the order of things. God gives a command to go into the mountain. That's it at first. Nephi doesn't ask why and wait for explanation he just obeys and goes. We are often asked to do things we don't understand and sometimes we deal with them like saints and other times we throw tantrums :) Nephi is true disciple. He just does it. Whatever it is. It is enough for him that the Lord commanded it. Sometimes I get what I think is only one part of an answer and then expect the whole world to fall into place. I'll be disappointed every time.... Once given the next step ( after obeying) Nephi brings ideas to the Lord on how he can accomplish this step. He collaborates with the Lord. The Lord does not intend to command is forever. We need to learn to partner with him and eventually do what is right without being told. How else can we learn to be the boss without working with The Boss first?