I hope you enjoy some insights from my Come Follow Me 1 Nephi 16-22. (If you missed last week’s insights for Come Follow Me 1 Nephi 11-15 click here). Save this pin to read later.
Legalized Sin.
“And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.”
1 Nephi 16:2
Often when the truth is taught it is responded to with anger. People who are sinning are angered by hearing the truth because their guilt becomes unbearable.
Often they turn to the laws of the land and say “Legalize our sin!” and they think that will appease their guilt. But it does not. It is not enough to know their actions are not defying the laws of man, because even with sin being legalized the guilt of sin violating the laws of God is evoked whenever they hear the truth of their actions preached over the pulpits or by lay members of churches. They will eventually seek to have ministers teach them that the laws of God have also changed. On this topic President Nelson taught:
“Regardless of what civil legislation may be enacted, the doctrine of the Lord regarding marriage and morality cannot be changed. Remember: sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God!”
Russell M. Nelson
Being and staying humble.
“And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord; insomuch that I had joy and great hopes of them, that they would walk in the paths of righteousness.” 1st Nephi 16:5
Humility is one of the most elusive Christlike attributes. Most attributes you can measure, and see how you’re doing. You can work on and practice virtue, or obedience. But Humility the minute you think you’ve got it… You’ve lost it.
I noticed something interesting about The Book of Mormon. It talks more about humility and being humble more than the Old and New Testaments combined! And about pride more than ALL other standard works combined.
Let us hearken to the warning of the Prophets and Apostles of yesteryear. Let us beware of pride, and humble ourselves.
President Ezra Taft Benson Gives 8 ways to be Humble.
- “We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. (See D&C 38:24; D&C 81:5; D&C 84:106.)
- We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. (See Jacob 4:10; Hel. 15:3; D&C 63:55; D&C 101:4–5; D&C 108:1; D&C 124:61, 84; D&C 136:31; Prov. 9:8.)
- We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. (See 3 Ne. 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10.)
- We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. (See Mosiah 2:16–17.)
- We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. (See Alma 4:19; Alma 31:5; Alma 48:20.)
- We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.
- We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. (See D&C 58:43; Mosiah 27:25–26; Alma 5:7–14, 49.)
- We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. (See 3 Ne. 11:11; 3 Ne. 13:33; Moro. 10:32.)
Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can.”
For more quotes about humility see this collection of quotes I have assembled (click here).
Self Reliance.
“And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?”
1 Nephi 17:9
When God asks you to do something you have three options. Ignore it (Jonah), complain about it (Laman and Lemuel), or accept the call and actively work towards following it (Nephi).
Nephi not only set an example of being willing to accept any errand the Lord asks of him, but he also asks for the Lord where he can find the ore so he can make the tools so he can make the boat. He does not say “God give me the tools.” He realized he could make the tools, but he needed the ore so he asked knowing that God would provide the ore, so he could make the tools.
“The Lord knew that Nephi could make the tools, and it is seldom the Lord will do something for us that we can do for ourselves.”
L. Tom Perry
Going To the Mount.
“And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.”
1 Nephi 18:3
Throughout the scriptures, the Prophets have often traveled and to a mountain, dessert, or grove of trees to meditate and pray. There are two lessons to take away from this practice.
First, effort. Revelation takes effort, simply offering a Hail Mary style prayer will rarely result in answers.
Second, seclusion. Going into your closet, to the top of a mountain, to a temple or into the wilderness to pray offers seclusion from the outside world, as one cuts himself off from the world he is more in tune with the divine. The world today is constantly bombarding us, and seclusion is becoming increasingly important.
We can apply these two principles to enhance our prayers as S. Dilworth Young taught: “Every grove can be a sacred grove, every mountaintop a Sinai”
For more about personal revelation see these articles.
Seven Principles of personal revelation by Elder Lund
Three ways to get more out of your Patriarchal Blessing.
Two Guiding Principles of Personal Revelation that every Latter-day Saint should know.
Likening the Scriptures.
“And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.”
1 Nephi 19:23
The Scriptures are written in a beautiful language, this language while archaic is rich in symbolism. Some argue that we need to have a new translation that makes the language of the scriptures modern. But this would take away all the rich symbolism that the prophets like Isaiah employ.
Rather than change the language of the scriptures we need to teach people how to liken the scriptures to their lives.
“We urge you to study the Book of Mormon as individuals and families and then to do as the prophet Nephi counseled: liken the scriptures to yourselves so that it will be for your profit and learning.”
Ezra Taft Benson
Trials.
“For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.”
1 Nephi 20:10
As Latter-day Saints, we have this false idea that when the world goes crazy we will be completely isolated from it. This verse talks about refining fires. And as Elder Neal A. Maxwell put it.
“How could there be refining fires without enduring some heat? Or greater patience without enduring some instructive waiting? Or more empathy without bearing one another’s burdens”
Ultimately we must endure trials, after all, we are called to FOLLOW HIM. So thank the Lord for your trials, as they make you more like Him.
Therefore, how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, “Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!”
Elder Neal A. Maxwell.
For more about trials see this article about the most important reason for trials.
The God Of The Living And Dead.
“That thou mayest say to the prisoners: Go forth”
1 Nephi 21:9
In this verse Nephi quotes Isaiah who speaks of Christ’s redeeming power over the dead, we know from 1 Peter 3:19 that the spirits in spirit prison are taught the gospel. In the Holy Temples, vicarious work is done for those who are dead so that they can be taught the Gospel and that they can be set free!
“Our efforts on behalf of the dead bear eloquent witness that Jesus Christ is the divine Redeemer of all mankind. His grace and promises reach even those who in life do not find Him. Because of Him, the prisoners shall indeed go free.”
D. Todd Christofferson
For more about Christ and the importance of His titles like Redeemer see this article going over 7 Titles of Christ and lessons we can learn.
The Millennium.
“For behold, saith the prophet, the time cometh speedily that Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men…”
1 Nephi 22:15
What is the Millennium? It is the thousand-year period that is initiated with the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is a period of peace and joy, where Satan will be bound. The Millennium is when every promised blessing will be fulfilled. Every blessing denied us by the actions of others will be made right during the Millennium.
Think about that, every single person longing to be married but never had the chance will! Every mother who had a child die will have a chance to raise that child! NO BLESSING WILL BE DENIED THE FAITHFUL.
As the world grows ever closer and closer to war and chaos we have an opportunity to experience the peace that the Millennium brings in our lives and families. We, through our actions and the enabling strength Christ gives us, we can “bind” Satan in our lives by rejecting sin and choosing Christ!
“When Satan is bound in a single home—when Satan is bound in a single life—the Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life” Spencer W. Kimball
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