In my BYU Book of Mormon religion class this week, we have been studying and discussing the very beginning of the Book of Mormon, including the first few chapters of the first book, 1 Nephi.  There are tons of things to pull out of the scriptures, especially from the Book of Mormon, but I just want to focus on a principle that stood out to me when I was studying earlier this week.  The principle is the choice we have in our attitude towards the trials and hardships that God gives us, and the subsequent blessings and consequences.

The first part of the Book of Mormon is about the story of Lehi (a prophet who lived in Jerusalem at the time of Jeremiah and Zedekiah), his family, and their commandment to leave Jerusalem.  Lehi had four sons, and while they all followed their father, some were righteous and some were wicked.  When I studied the first part of their story, I realized that the righteousness and wickedness stemmed from their attitudes about the commands of God.  Because of the attitude each one had about following the prophet and the Lord, they each became either closer or further from God.

Nephi and his brothers

For example, in 1 Nephi chapter 2 of the Book of Mormon, Lehi is commanded by God to leave into the wilderness.  He is obedient to the command of God, and he departs with his family, including his four sons; Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi.

Laman and Lemuel murmur and complain because of the hardship God had called them to endure, but Nephi chooses to humble himself to God’s will.  Nephi, instead of whining, prays to God and he is able to have faith that God would bless and protect them, and also have trust in his father’s teachings from God.  Laman and Lemuel had sour attitudes, but Nephi’s attitude embodied a willingness to follow the Lord.

This is important, because Laman, Lemuel, and Nephi all had to go through the same trial.  They all lost friends, money and possessions, and a comfortable home to follow their divinely-led father into the middle of a wilderness, without knowing the outcome.  They all grew up with their father’s teachings and they were all familiar with the doctrines and gospel of Jesus Christ.  They all followed the prophet and the commands of God.  But they chose to take the commandment in different ways, and that was what changed them.  Laman and Lemuel chose to turn against God because they didn’t understand God’s plan for them.  Because of their choice, they grew bitter and lost both their relationship with God and blessings from God.  Nephi, on the other hand, chose to still have faith in God even though he didn’t understand why, and trusted in the promise of the Lord that those who followed Him would be blessed.  As a result, he was blessed for his obedience and faith, gaining peace, a greater trust in God, and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Additional Resources:

Request a free Book of Mormon

Learn from a Mormon prophet about how an “Attitude of Gratitude” blesses our lives

The Book of Mormon begins with an account of a man named Lehi, a prophet in Jerusalem around 600 B.C., who is commanded to leave Jerusalem with his family because of the wickedness of the people, who seek to take away his life.  Lehi and his family must leave all of their land, riches, and precious things and take nothing with them except provisions for their journey in the wilderness (see 1 Nephi 2:4).  The journey promises challenging, and leaving so many great possessions proves very difficult, especially for Lehi’s oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, who spend a great deal of time complaining, or murmuring, against their father Lehi.  Lehi’s two youngest sons, Nephi (the author of the first and second books of Nephi in the Book of Mormon) and Sam, recognize the Lord’s hand and have faith in the direction He has given to their Father.  Even though Lehi knows how hard leaving Jerusalem will be for his family and the journey that lies ahead, he is committed to being obedient to the Lord.  Surely, this must’ve been somewhat difficult for even Lehi, in spite of knowing all that He did and the promises the Lord had made to Him for his obedience.  With this being said, I love how Lehi put his faith in God, not knowing everything that would happen, and trusted that He would provide for him and his family.  Lehi’s love for his Lord, and his humility amaze me—that he would give up so much, and be willing to live in a tent in the middle of nowhere in the wilderness in order to follow what the Lord had commanded him (see 1 Nephi 2:1-3; 2:15).

Lehi’s actions say a lot about the person he is. The Savior once said to a rich young man that came seeking to inherit eternal life, that it is “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25).  Lehi, though he possessed many great things—silver, gold, land—also must have possessed great faith and had his heart turned to the Lord because of his ability to give up everything in order to be obedient.  Never once did Lehi ask, “What’s in it for me?” or “When will I be wealthy again because I did what you asked?”  He was willing to forsake all, and in the end gained even greater earthly possessions, but more importantly, great heavenly treasures.   I think it is harder than we think to truly be like Lehi.  So often, pride gets in the way of us keeping the commandments of the Lord.  I find myself sometimes being pulled into spending my time gathering “precious things” of the world, instead of storing up treasures in Heaven, even though I know where the greater treasure lies.  I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to keep changing and trying to become more like my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for all of the great examples in scriptures, both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, that help me come closer to Him, like this example of Lehi’s humilty and obedience in the Book of Mormon.

Additional Resources:

Request a free copy of the Book of Mormon

The Power of God’s Love

This week I read 1 Nephi 7:12. Nephi is the first prophet to narrate The Book of Mormon and explains how his family fled Jerusalem and came to the Americas. At this point in that journey Nephi has been asked to do many difficult things by God and yet still has this remarkable attitude as he encourages others in his family to be more receptive towards the Lord’s commandments. “Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.”

I know that I am the literal daughter of a Heavenly Father. This scripture highlights my tendency to forget that while simultaneously encouraging me to really recognize all the wonderful love my Heavenly Father has shown me in the past. It also really emphasizes the role of faith. Faith is showing hope for something we cannot yet see. The prophet Nephi is reminding me that if Heavenly Father showed love in the past He will show it again if I but have faith.
Two wonderful friends stayed with me for the entirety of the Emergency Room ordeal holding my hand and reading the scriptures to me off their phones. Another wonderful friend gave me a priesthood blessing—an experience where an obedient man with the right authority can use the power of God to bless someone here on Earth.  My roommate drove me to a follow-up appointment. Another member of my congregation, called a ward, picked me up. People I didn’t even know expressed concern for my finger. I felt Heavenly Father help me to cope with the pain and learn to work effectively with nine healthy fingers.Last Monday my roommate accidentally shut my finger in our dorm room window. Sitting on the couch in our kitchen I was almost overcome with the pain and a deep sense of vulnerability. I didn’t know what to do. All of a sudden I was struck by the realization that the only one who could really do anything for me in this situation was my Heavenly Father. It was like the scripture above. I knew that Heavenly Father had answered my prayers in the past and that I needed to have faith he would do so again. I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father to help me find comfort in a really traumatic experience. After spending four hours in the Emergency Room I left with five stitches and a brace that I would have to wear for six weeks. I missed my parents who live across the country and I was overwhelmed with all the medication I had been given. And yet amidst all that there were answers to my prayers.

It’s now been exactly a week since the accident and I can testify to the truthfulness of Nephi’s words. I have exercised faith in the Lord and know that he is “able to do all things according to his will”.

Article written by Katie S

Additional Resources:

Request a free Book of Mormon

Meet with Mormon missionaries

After leaving Jerusalem and traveling 180 miles or so into the wilderness, the Lord commanded Lehi in the Book of Mormon that his sons should return to Jerusalem in order to get the plates of brass, which are a record of the Jews and a genealogy of Lehi’s ancestors (see 1 Nephi 3:3).   Nephi’s response to this commandment of the Lord in the Book of Mormon is awe-inspiring.  He says to his father, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7).

The brass plates

Nephi’s faith and obedience are incredible.  He knew he faced a long, miserable journey through the wilderness to go back to the very place the Lord had just commanded them to leave; and he didn’t know how to get the plates once he and his brothers arrived in Jerusalem.  Albeit, Nephi did not doubt the commandments of the Lord; he trusted in the Lord completely.  Nephi knew that if the Lord commanded it, He would also provide a way for it to be done if he just put faith in Him.  This marvelous faith is mirrored in other Book of Mormon prophets—such as Ammon who journeyed to enemy land to teach the gospel, not knowing beforehand what he would do, but only that he should go; or Moroni who spent years abridging the records of his people for purposes known by the Lord.

This faith is also present in the prophets of the Bible, as well as in the Book of Mormon—such as Daniel’s determination to not worship false idols because of the commandments he had been taught from his youth: to worship only one God, the God of Israel, and then being delivered from a den of lions because of his faithfulness in keeping the commandments of God.  When I act faithfully, like these prophets in the Book of Mormon and the Bible have, keeping the commandments becomes much easier for me to do.  I have seen it become easier for my friends to do as well.  One experience with a particular friend comes to my mind.  Originally this friend had problems with frequent swearing and taking the Lord’s name in vain.  However, as his faith grew, and his determination to keep the commandments of the Lord also grew, he was able to overcome that habit completely.  It took hard effort and constant checking of himself once he had decided that he no longer wanted to take the Lord’s name in vain.  Through his efforts and the results that came, my friend learned to trust that the Lord would provide a way for him to be obedient in keeping His commandments if he was willing to do his part.  I am so grateful for the example of faith and obedience I receive from these prophets.  They encourage me to keep cultivating my faith and becoming more obedient.  And I love seeing the happiness that comes into my life as I am faithful and obedient, for the Lord truly is able to do all things.

Article written by Karina H

Additional Resources;

Request a free Book of Mormon

Learn more about the importance of faith from a Mormon apostle

Just the other day in one of my religion classes at BYU, where we are studying the Book of Mormon, we read a story that is familiar to me from my youth but this time a particular phrase struck me and taught me a life lesson that I think not only applies to my personal happiness but also helped me understand how to become more like Christ.

The story is found in the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon.  During the time directly preceding the destruction of Babylon (about 420 B.C.) many prophets went forth calling the wicked people of Jerusalem to repentance.  Among these prophets were the Bible’s Ezekiel, Daniel and Jeremiah. Another of these prophets was Lehi, the first prophet of the Book of Mormon.  God commanded Lehi and his family to leave Jerusalem to escape destruction. One could imagine how hard it would be to leave the comfort of your home and associates to enter the unknown. Among Lehi’s four sons there were two who were not pleased with their father’s directions, although they journeyed with their family, the scriptures say they often “murmured”.  After much time in the wilderness, on one particular day, Lehi’s two wayward sons were displeased with their righteous brother and took him, bound him and began to beat him. Yielding to their mother’s pleas they stopped and aware of their error they sorrowfully asked for forgiveness. The beaten brother’s words to his aggressors are what stuck out to me, he said, “And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done, and I did exhort them that they would pray unto the Lord their God for forgiveness…” (1 Nephi 7:21).

This passage of scripture is a powerful lesson to me about how a righteous man of God responds to aggression, unkindness or trial.  Lehi’s son, named Nephi, did not just forgive them but he frankly forgave them. How often have I been injured by another’s actions and dwelled on my injury while feeling justified or even forgiven with my lips and not my heart. Nephi frankly forgave, meaning to me, he did not think about the incident any longer but thought about the sorrow of his brothers. With that in mind, surely he could do nothing but forgive entirely and instantly.  Nephi desired their well-being therefore he did not just forgive them, but sent them to the Lord where he know they could find great forgiveness than he could give.

I am thankful for the Book of Mormon and the message from the Spirit that it teaches me. I know the book is the word of God.  I see the blessings from the Lord in my life when I apply its teachings and I feel a greater closeness to my Savior when I do. I hope that like Nephi and most importantly, like the Savior I can frankly forgive.

Article written by Andrew B

Request a free Book of Mormon

Learn more about Mormons and their basic beliefs

While I was reading this passage I was really struck by how immediately after tasting of the fruit, Lehi wanted to share of its goodness

Lehi desired to share the happiness he found

 with those he loved.  This is often true for us, how often do we find a new favorite band, or favorite recipe, and right away want to share it with our friends and family?  Later on in 1 Nephi, we learn that the fruit represents the gospel of Christ.   So when Lehi tasted of the fruit, it symbolizes his belief and acceptance of the gospel of Christ. Once you have tasted, or felt of its power and goodness, you really want to share it with those you love and care about.  Two of Lehi’s sons refuse to come and eat of the fruit, and at the end of the chapter we read how Lehi, “exhorted them with all the feeling of a tender parent”.  Lehi wanted nothing more than for all of his children to accept the gospel and be as happy and filled with job as he was.

Often when we feel the power of the gospel, our circle of people we want to share the gospel grows to the point that we want to share it with everyone we come in contact with. We wish for everyone, everywhere to feel of Christ’s love.  I believe this is why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (also known as the Mormon Church) spends so much time and effort on missionary work and councils the young men and women to spend two years of their lives on missions sharing the gospel.  Once you’ve felt of the happiness the gospel brings, you know that it could make so many more people happy, you simply want to share the news.  I’ve felt the love of Jesus Christ in my life, and I wish that all of my family, friends, and even those I do not know could feel it as well.  Nothing brings me more joy, nothing makes me happier than the gospel of Christ and knowing how much He loves and cares for me.

Article written by JeriAnn W

Additional Resources:

Request a free Book of Mormon

Learn more about Mormons and their basic beliefs

     “Imagine someone coming in and telling you that you were doing the wrong things, and that you were going to be destroyed if you didn’t change your ways.” When I put myself in their shoes, it made me wonder what I would have done. I might laugh and not accept the person’s views. However, the extremity of trying to kill someone for words is too far. I think that every faith and every person can agree that killing should be avoided, especially for something so trivial. After Lehi tries to warn the people, he decides to get out of the city. He leaves behind his treasures and property, which was considerable, and takes his family and leaves. He has four sons from oldest to youngest, respectively, named: Laman, Lemuel, Sam, and Nephi. I personally think that they were somewhere around my age. It must have been very hard to leave all their friends and the life that they knew behind, but they did it.  Laman and Lemuel were a little more skeptical and grumbled, which is understandable. However, they all go on their way.

     A ways into the journey, Lehi is told by the Lord that Nephi and his brothers must get the plates of brass. These are different than the gold plates that the Book of Mormon was translated from. The plates of brass were basically a family record of the Jews and the scriptures up to that point. Lehi sends his sons on their way back to Jerusalem. This was a long journey through desert.

      However, Nephi says this in the Book of Mormon: “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.” (1 Nephi 3:7) This is the attitude that I hope to gain. There are many commandments and standards that have been set up and given to us by the Lord, and they are not easy to follow. Everyone struggles, and I don’t always obey. I mess up, and sometimes I think that my way is the best way. Nothing ever goes right this way, and God shows this to Nephi and his brothers when they are given their task.

     When they reach Jerusalem, they attempt to get the plates back three times. The first two times they tried by themselves and then failed. The last time Nephi put his trust in God, and he was able to get the plates of brass. The United States’ motto is, “In God We Trust”. This statement is what Nephi followed. It is how I try to think, especially as a Latter-day Saint, (or Mormon). Obedience to God will lead us to success and a happier life.

Article written by Demetri S

Additional Resources:

Famous Mormons

Mormon Music

        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…

Maliana T is a student from BYU majoring in mathematics. She is from Minnesota and she loves to spend her free time with her husband and 4 year old daughter.