I love Nephi’s response to the Lord asking him to build a ship. He doesn’t question the Lord about why or how or doubt. He simply asks where he is to go to find the ore he needs to make the tools. He is so obedient.

And Laman and Lemuel give the same response as usual. They murmur against their brother and call him a fool. I am just amazed at how little faith they have and hope that if someone were writing my life story I wouldn’t look as stupid as they do all the time.

Reading the Book of Mormon gives me such hope for the future for the righteous. We are constantly reminded that if we keep the Lord’s commandments we will prosper in the land. Also, Nephi tells us that the Lord “raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked” (1 Nephi 17:37). We just need to be on the Lord’s side, fighting the good fight!

Nephi also talks of Moses in this chapter and the children of Israel. One of the most interesting parts of the exodus story to me is when fiery flying serpents bit the children of Israel and the way to be healed was to only look upon Moses’ staff, but because of the simpleness of the way, many did not look and were not healed. Amazing. What in our lives could be like that staff? What is so easy that we just don’t do it. Reading scriptures is easy. Going to church is easy. Every week I am tempted not to go to church. And it seems like now that I have been reading and I have a calling and a reason to be there, I am even more tempted not to go. Weird. Satan never sleeps. He never gives up. We have to be constantly watchful!

I just thought about Nephi and his brothers in a new way. I am always thinking how wicked and stupid they are and never once did I think to love them. But they were Nephi’s brothers and I am sure he loved them so very much. In verse 47 he writes, “my soul is rent with anguish because of you” speaking of his brothers. Hmm. That really sheds a different light on Laman and Lemuel for me. Plus, I heard something on the radio today that made me think too. A talk radio guy (not sure who it was) said to treat the illegal immigrants with compassion like they were real people. Wow, you don’t hear that everyday in the political world. I mean yeah,treat people with compassion because we are all God’s children. What a wonderful lesson.

Nephi finishes this chapter with a bang. He tells his brothers that if they touch him they shall wither like a reed for he was filled with the power of God. Also, he says,

And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.

Wow!! That is faith. I mean that is what we should all strive for. I really enjoyed this chapter. I am also glad I have this blog even if nobody really reads it.