Lessons from Nephi

Have you ever been asked by God to do something hard?

Nephi was. And this week, I relate to his story in many, many ways.

For context: In 600 BC, Nephi's father was commanded by God to leave Jerusalem and head to the desert, en route to a promised land. They traveled three days, and then He commanded Nephi and his brothers to go back to Jerusalem to get some specific brass plates that contained the scriptures they should have on their journey. After trying (and failing) to accomplish this a few logical ways, Nephi was led by the Lord and obtained the plates in a more unusual way. They finally made it back to their family with the plates. Then, God commanded them to go back to Jerusalem again and convince Ishmael's family to come on their journey, so all the boys could get married and have posterity. So back they went, and back they came.

Now, they're in the desert. They have the scriptures, and Nephi's father has had visions and revelations on a regular basis since they started this adventure, so they should be all set for their journey.  Yet one morning, they wake up and find a miraculous compass, a guide of sorts, that tells them what direction to travel. Why do they need it? They have scriptures. Their leader is quite capable of receiving revelation. Why a round brass ball to point the way to go?

After a few more days of traveling, they stop and rest while the boys go hunting. Alas, they come back empty handed... worse, Nephi breaks his bow, and his brothers' bows have worn out, so they can't hunt in the usual fashion. The situation looks dire, and they begin to wonder whether God led them all into the wilderness just so they could starve to death. Even Lehi, their father/prophet/leader, begins to wonder. Nephi appears to be the only one with any confidence that if God has gotten them this far, then He will not fail them now... and yet, the brass plates won't tell him where to search for food. So he asks his father, who prays to the Lord and is directed to look at the compass. It now contains not just pointers, but words, which are "written and changed from time to time," that give the traveling family understanding in the ways of the Lord. The Liahona, that compass, is a tangible representation of the personal revelation they needed to guide them on their journey. Complete with directions for how to obtain nourishment.  It was more than the scriptures; it was more than visions. It was a visual reminder that God was leading this group - much like the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that was enjoyed by the children of Israel during their wilderness journey - and that He knew their destination.

My journey through life also contains a series of promises, much like Nephi's promised land. It also contains wilderness. And lean days, during some of which I wonder how we're going to make it. And while I have the scriptures and the words of living prophets, I don't have a Liahona. (Although in this modern era of technology, an iPhone comes pretty close with the GPS feature and the Gospel Library app.) Instead, I learn from the next of Nephi's experiences.

By the time they arrived on the eastern coast, I'm sure the family was exhausted and fairly sick of traveling, so the bountiful land they encountered brought them much refreshment and joy. Soon after their arrival, though, Nephi again received instruction from God - the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. How was a guy from Jerusalem to build a ship large and strong enough to carry his entire family across the ocean? And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. ... 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.

Three points interest me here: first, Nephi had never built a ship - but his first question was not about the ship itself. It was where do I go to obtain the ore to make the tools I will need to build the ship?  Second, he didn't get all the direction at once. It came a little here, and a little there, from time to time as needed. Third, Nephi actively sought help often, and as a consequence, received help often.

My mountain currently stands atop Belmont Hill. It is the place I go to seek instruction, and if I will go often, the Lord will show me great things. He isn't showing me how to build a ship, but I feel I have a similarly challenging task He wants me to do. Some days I think to myself, I don't know how to do that. I don't even know how to start. And then He shows me where to find the resources to obtain the tools. A bit later, I seek Him again, and He shows me how to look to Him in every thought and trust His blueprint. When I think I'm doing such an awesome job at this, He reminds me that it is not me alone who is succeeding - He and I are doing this together. Then He patiently shows me how to do exactly what He's asked me to do, one step at a time, even (especially?) on the days I can't see how today's work will impact the finished product. And in so doing, He makes good on His promise that he will prepare a way for [the children of men] that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Thus, I can with confidence expect that ultimately I will obtain my promised land, just as Nephi did.