1 Nephi 8

This week I have been working on my handout making skills (who woulda thunk it, I know) so in the next few weeks I hope to have a few handouts to give you guys! This college student only has so much time on her hands, so we'll see when these handouts actually get done.....anyway, today is a wonderful day! It is the day we take a closer look at 1 Nephi chapter 8. This is the famous "Tree of Life" chapter. I want to focus first on the people in verse 21. We read, "And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood." Alright, so these people sound like they are in pretty good shape right? Now read verse 23, "And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness....insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost." Uh oh, what happened? They got lost, but they were on the path to the tree, right? Did you notice what they didn't do though? They didn't grab a hold of the iron rod. I have never noticed that til reading the chapter this time around. It wasn't enough for them just to be on the path towards the tree. Remember, tree of life = love of God, iron rod = word of God. The scriptures hold such importance in our gaining a testimony of this gospel. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, so it is vital to "feast upon" them. In verse 30 we read, "But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward: and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree." This verse just sends goosebumps up and down my arms. These people pressed forward, and did not stop. I love the word "until" used here, because it is saying that the people endured to the very end, the very end! That had to have been hard because they "fell down" when they reached the tree of life. This life isn't easy, but the Lord has blessed us with countless outlets to help us make it through. When I was in high school, I liked Seminary, but I definitely didn't appreciate it as much as I should have. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to attend Seminary, and I am absolutely loving the religion classes I am enrolled in here at BYU. I hope that everyone, not just Seminary and BYU students will hold on to the word of God, for I know that it leads to a place of peace and happiness.
This is an awesome video about Seminary....watch it! Seminary Can Change Lives

1 Nephi 7

Sorry this post is a wee bit late....I spent a little too much time Skyping my family last night, so blogging got pushed to today. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend like I did and are all rested up to dive into 1 Nephi chapter 7. So this is the part where Nephi and his brothers bring Ishmael and his family into the wilderness with them. Nephi, his brothers and Zoram then marry the daughters of Ishmael. Where would this story be without a little romance, right? So, Laman and Lemuel and two of the sons of Ishmael had to ruin things and start complaining and conspiring against Nephi. Now look at verse 11 where Nephi says, "Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us, in delivering us out of the hands of Laban, and also that we should obtain the record?" Replace the phrase "out of the hands of Laban" and "that we should obtain the record" and put in one of your own trials. For example, "delivering me from my cold so that I could sleep and be ready for my exam." Or, "delivering me from a late house payment so that I could pay my tithing." This verse is a good reminder that we need to remember the blessings we have received and the challenges the Lord has gotten us through. In verse 12 Nephi goes on to say, "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." It isn't just the Nephi's and Moroni's of the world that receive miracles from the Lord. Its the you's and me's of the world. So, I challenge you to count your blessings this week (don't worry, I'll be doing it too). If you do it, comment and let me know if it changed your day, or maybe even your week! One last thought from chapter 7. In verse 21 we read, "And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive all that they had done..." Nephi's brothers were terrible to him! But he forgave them in the blink of an eye. That was a lesson I needed this week, so I thought I'd share that little tidbit, too.
To go along with the thoughts above ^^ here is an adorable handout (courtesy of the ever adorable Lil' Luna blog) http://lilluna.com/count-your-blessings-printable/

1 Nephi 4

Second post of the week....woohoo! Alright, so we skip a couple of chapters and head over to chapter 4. This is the awesome chapter when Nephi kills Laban and gets a hold of the brass plates. Let's start in the middle of verse 5, "And after they had hid themselves, I, Nephi crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban. (6) And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. (7) Nevertheless I went forth...." Isn't that awesome? Nephi went forward with faith, relying on what the Spirit revealed to him what he should do. Now look over at verse 16 where we read, "And I also knew...(17) And, again, I knew...(18) Therefore I did obey..." In all of these verses Nephi was practicing obedience  whether he knew what he was supposed to do or not. In verses 16 through 18, how did he know what he was to do? He was in tune with the Spirit! Through the Spirit we can receive knowledge and truth so that the path we must take is clear. In chapter 5 verse 8, Nephi's mother Sariah says, "Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath commanded my husband to flee into the wilderness...." Before she knew for sure that what they were doing was the right thing, she had faith in her husband and in the Lord. Faith and works people. I found an awesome article by President Monson called Believe, Obey and Endure that goes along with this topic. He is speaking to the young women of the church, so I loved this one! I hope you do, too.
http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2012/03/believe-obey-and-endure?lang=eng&query=obedience

1 Nephi 1:1

Alright readers, or maybe it's just reader since I know my Book of Mormon teacher is at least reading this, I am actually really excited to start posting on here, so here it goes! Into the realm of 1 Nephi 1 we go...... So we've read the first verse of 1 Nephi 1 about a kagillion times right? C'mon, say it with me, "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents...." Well this time, I am going to take the challenge to "feast upon the words of Christ" and really try hard to learn something valuable from a chapter I'm pretty sure I've memorized. After the "I, Nephi" part, we read "therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days." Did you catch that middle part where he says, "having seen many afflictions"? What comes after that part? The word "nevertheless." I love that word! In the scriptures it always seems to mean, "something bad happened but I still went" or "something bad happened but I still trusted." Nephi's life wasn't perfect, yet he still relied on the Lord and obeyed His commandments. I don't know about you, but my life certainly isn't perfect. It is in the times where we feel the most imperfect that we must rely on the Lord. Turn a couple of pages to 2 Nephi 4:26 where we read "...why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?" Now look over at verse 34, "O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever." Those are some powerful, powerful verses, no? Nephi knows of God's mercy and has such a testimony of His power to make his trials strengths. I am so grateful for prophets and leaders who stand as examples of men and women who hand their sorrows to Christ, and become better because of it. To end, please please watch this video. I think it just about sums up what I got out of 1 Nephi chapter 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H84laUD95Xc

So this is where it starts.....

Well, this is my first post on my first blog ever. I've never thought of myself as much of a blog person. To be honest, I don't really read other blogs either....don't judge! I am starting now, however, as a project for my Book of Mormon class here at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. The sole purpose of this particular blog is for others to read about my insights of the Book of Mormon. I am so blessed to be at a school where I can learn of secular things, but also grow spiritually. My goal is to post at least twice a week about the different things I have gained from reading this wonderful book. I hope that you will comment and add your own insight, as well as take what I have learned and try applying it to your own scripture study and life. I am in no way a scriptorian, but in just two weeks of being here at BYU, I have learned that when diligently looking through the scriptures, even for just five minutes, you can learn something that applies directly to your life. So, with hope in my heart that a few people read this, my challenge to you and I is to pray, ponder and read the scriptures with "pure intent." Let's learn together!