My entire life I have read and read and re-read the scriptures, but never have I actually felt something from them until now. This week in our Book of Mormon class at Brigham Young University, we began reading the Book of Mormon. In this one week studying these eight chapters, I have felt the power of the Holy Ghost, “a personage of spirit” that comforts us, and experienced the truth of Mormon doctrine more than I ever have in my entire life. I learned that once you truthfully have questions for the scriptures, then you will actually find answers. In other, more poetic, words: “Once you bring your life into the scriptures, then you can bring the scriptures into your life.” Recently, I could not have found truer words.
In the very beginning of the Book of Mormon, we are introduced to Nephi, the son of the prophet Lehi and author of this first book from which we read. In very few words he is able to describe a multitude of things. One of my favorite things he says is found in chapter three, verse seven of the first book of Nephi. Nephi writes
“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: 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.”
Most members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can recognize these words with great familiarity, however, to those not as well-versed in Mormon doctrine, this verse may be a novel concept. In a testament to the obedience of Nephi’s character, he writes that he is fully intent on completing the tasks he has been assigned by God. He justifies such willingness by declaring that our Lord God will never give us challenges that we don’t have the power to overcome.
Because this verse comes so early on in the scriptures, it is often the most well-remembered and repeated. This, however, does not diminish the meaning or make it any less true. Examining this scripture this past week, I’ve discovered the true profundity of it. One of the most basic foundations of Mormon gospel is that our Heavenly Father (God) loves us. If we keep that one basic principle in mind when studying this scripture, we can extrapolate the truth behind the problems in our lives. Because the Lord loves us, he gives us obstacles. We are challenged everyday over and over again. We are never, however, put into a situation in which we cannot overcome and do the right thing. The Lord loves us, and so he puts us to the test every day. Just as he has faith in us, we should have faith in him. Learning this now, I can see how the Lord has enriched my life with obstacles. With every obstacle I’ve faced there has always been a lesson behind it. As I have failed, so have I learned and the failures that I’ve had have made the successes feel that much greater. Everyone has problems, but understanding the words of Nephi, we learn that everyone has the power to succeed as well.
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