BOM Reading Day 3

TGIF! This week has flown by and with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I am grateful I made it through the week and am semi-ready for the weekend. I have a weekend trip planned to Utah for my niece Kauata's baptism and her baby sister Kumora's baby blessing so I fear that I might not get an opportunity to keep up with the reading assignment during all of the festitivites. I'm going to go ahead and call it now, i'll combine the next 3 days reading on Monday's post...

Today's reading assignment is found in 1 Nephi 2:16 - 3:8

Nephi is such a great example. I love reading about his bravery and humble spirit. His desire to learn of the mysteries of God led him to the blessings he later received. I am grateful that he had an allie in Sam. There is nothing more hindering than standing alone in a situation feeling like the whole world is against you. Laman and Lemuel were rebellious and had each other. Sam could've easily sided with them, but he heeded the councils from Nephi and therefore was also blessed.

The Lord's promise to Nephi in verse 20 is inspiring:

And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and be led to a land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands.

This is absolutely true in our days. The Lord has promised us a great home after this life if we keep His commandments and endure to the end. It is not an easy task, but it is possible and reminders like this are perfect for those of us who allow the world to swallow us up in day-to-day activities and lose sight of this important promise.

Another great example Nephi set is by always answering the Lord's call. When Lehi relayed the Lord's message to have his sons return to Jerusalem to obtain the brass plates, Nephi answered willingly and ready to serve. I'm grateful for parents who taught me this same concept. I know that when the Lord calls (or His servants) me to serve in a calling or position (in my ward), that my job is to answer yes and serve to the best of my ability.

I have seen first hand how difficult it is to lead a group of people (or congregation) who are like Laman and Lemuel. We need to follow Nephi and answer, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them." If we could all do this, the work would move forward easily and Zion would be the peaceful place it is intended to be.

I'm not perfect and until I can fully engulf the concepts found in this reading assignment, I'll be walking down the same path as Laman and Lemuel. My hope and desire is to be as Nephi. I have a long way to go, but I'm ready for the journey down that road! :)