Day 7: 1 Nephi 17-18

Hello Everyone!

Can you believe we've already been reading for 1 week!  Crazy how time flies!  I have loved what I've read and learned this week.  I'd love to hear what your thoughts are about week 1?  Just leave a comment on this post.

Today's post will not be as long as my others.  I love the story of how Nephi is commanded to build a ship.  Here is the story in simplistic terms.

After Lehi and his family had camped by the sea for many days, the Lord spoke to Nephi. He told Nephi to build a ship to carry them to the promised land. 1 Ne. 17:7–8

Nephi did not know how to build a ship, but the Lord said that he would show him. He told Nephi where to find metal to make the tools he would need. 1 Ne. 17:9–10

Laman and Lemuel made fun of Nephi for starting to build a ship. They did not believe that the Lord had told Nephi how to do it. They refused to help. 1 Ne. 17:17–18

Nephi wanted Laman and Lemuel to repent and not be rebellious. He reminded them that they had seen an angel. He also told them that God has power to do all things. 1 Ne. 17:23, 45–46

Laman and Lemuel were angry with Nephi. They wanted to throw him into the sea. They started toward Nephi, but the power of God was with him.1 Ne. 17:48

Nephi commanded them not to touch him, or they would wither. He said that they should help build a ship. 1 Ne. 17:49–50

Then the Lord told Nephi to touch Laman and Lemuel. When Nephi touched them, the Lord shocked them. Laman and Lemuel knew that the power of God was with Nephi. 1 Ne. 17:53–54

Nephi told Laman and Lemuel to obey God and their parents. He said that they would be blessed if they would do this. 1 Ne. 17:55

Laman and Lemuel repented and helped Nephi build the ship. 1 Ne. 18:1–2

Many times Nephi went into the mountain to pray for help. The Lord taught him how to build the ship. 1 Ne. 18:3

When Nephi and his brothers had finished building it, they knew that it was a good ship. They thanked God for his help. 1 Ne. 18:4

Nephi’s response to the Lord’s command to build a ship gives us insight into his remarkable faith. Other prophets have also been overwhelmed at times by tasks commanded by the Lord. Moses felt inadequate when called to lead the children of Israel (see Exodus 4:1–5). Enoch felt he was slow of speech and wondered why the Lord called him (see Moses 6:31). Nephi might have been overwhelmed with the thought of building an ocean-going vessel. Instead, his response displayed great faith: “Whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship … ?” (1 Nephi 17:9). Nephi’s confidence did not likely come from any previous ship-building experience. Rather, his confidence stemmed from tremendous faith in God.

Here are some of my favorite scriptures.

1 Nephi 17:3
"And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled.  And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness."

I know this is so true.  When I am doing what the Lord wants me to do I know that I have more blessings than I can count.  I want you to know that this is a promise to all.  

1 Nephi 17:13
"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that ti is by me that ye are led."

1 Nephi 18

In chapter 18 the ship is finished.  Again we will see how the faith of Nephi blesses him and his family.

1 Nephi 18:3

"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."

I know that I feel closer to the Lord when I am praying often.  I feel the Spirit more in my life and I am able to endure through my trials.  What a great promise that is!   The Lord does hear us and will answer our prayers.  

Next we learn of the birth of Nephi's two younger brothers, Jacob and Joseph.  After only being on the ship for 4 days, Laman and Lemuel begin to stir up trouble again.  I find it amazing that they keep forgetting all of the blessings and the warnings that the Lord has given to them.  We then see that the Liahona (or compass) stopped working.

1 Nephi 18:12

"And it came to pass that after they had bound me insomuch that I could not move, the compass, which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work."

The Liahona symbolizes a guide in our own lives or the Holy Ghost.  Elder Bednar said…

"The Spirit of the Lord can be our guide and will bless us with direction, instruction, and spiritual protection during our mortal journey. We invite the Holy Ghost into our lives through meaningful personal and family prayer, feasting upon the words of Christ, diligent and exacting obedience, faithfulness and honoring of covenants, and through virtue, humility, and service. And we steadfastly should avoid things that are immodest, coarse, crude, sinful, or evil that cause us to withdraw ourselves from the Holy Ghost."

Of course, my favorite part is Nephi's reaction while in the midst of his trials.  I pray that I will someday have as much faith as Nephi had. I feel that I murmur so much and need to remember how many blessing the Lord has given me in my daily life.  What a good lesson this chapter is for me on perseverance.  

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."

At the end of chapter 18, Lehi's family arrives in the Promised Land which is North America.  I can't wait to read more with you tomorrow.  I hope you all have a great start to your week!

In closing I wanted to share this video with you today.

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