1 Nephi 7

In verse 5, do you think the Lord softened Ishmael's heart the same way he soften Laban's neck? I was thinking about how similar this trip was to the first trip back to get the plates. I imagine that Ishmael had stayed for a reason, walking across the desert is not everyone's idea of a good time, so I imagine it took a generous helping of the spirit to get his family out of the house.

1 Nephi 5:14, and chapter 6

I think it's interesting that it seems like Lehi had never actually read the brass plates before. I guess that means that they really were valuable, and I'm pretty sure I fit into this category from verse 18:

 "these plates of brass should go forth unto all naions, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed."

Also, It seems like the reason that Nephi decides not to include the genealogy of his family in his account, which he mentions in chapter 6, is because it was sort of his dad's thing. Getting those plates was a pretty big deal.

Mosiah 18:8-9 via Elder Lee Hale in Minnesota

Lee sent this story to me in an email today:

We were eating dinner with the Hills and it was time for a little "message". So I used my favorite "spiritual thought", Mosiah 18:8-9. I like reading the traits that Alma finds necessary for a person to be ready for baptism. I usually say something along the lines of how everyone in Minnesota seems to be Christian, sometimes it can be hard to see who is waiting for the gospel when everyone is trying to put on a good Christian face. I tell them that those traits are good indicators of whether or not our friends have a true desire to follow Christ and they can help us discern who is being prepared. It was neat to hear Sis. Hill vocally go through the list of their neighbors, only a few matched the traits. It's been neat to see members use that perspective.

1 Nephi 4

So, going right up to Laban's house and asking for the plates might have been a good idea, and probably took a lot of guts, but when things don't go the way you plan- that's when you see what you are really made of.
Nephi doesn't stop, even though he is scared AND out of ideas. Verse 6 is Nephi in one sentence; "I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things I should do."
I take a lot of strength from these words, I am not always ready to let the spirit guide me into the city to chop someone's head off- metophorically speaking, of course- but Nephi did it, so I can too.
More on all this later!

1 Nephi 2-3

Do you think Nephi murmured before he prayed about the things his dad was saying? Or was observing all the murmuring enough for him?

1 Nephi 1:20

This caught my eye in the last verse of 1 Nephi chapter 1:

"But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."

Pretty good thesis statement there Nephi, I am going to hold you to that.

Uhhh... I guess so.

So, this kid asked me that once, "you go to church a lot, huh?" Mid-chew on my PB&J, the best response I could manage was, "uhhh, I guefffth tho." Not the most powerful testimony ever shared, but how was I supposed to know that I would have a missionary experience on Mormon hill during lunch? It turns out that this guy had been "watching us", a little creepy for sure, but by that, he went on to explain, he had noticed that the Mormons all came to school together after going to church first, everyday! I hadn't really realized how strange that was until this guy brought it up. I DO go to church a lot, huh?!
Anyway, long story short, I was putting time and energy into going to church, and in a few years, I would be giving all my time to the church as a missionary. I wondered if I was really someone that could do that. Was I churchy enough for all that? Was it even worth it? Then one day in seminary, I read about Captian Moroni telling Zerahemnah that his strength and all-around awesomeness actually came from his religion and his faith in Christ.That got me thinking, I want to be like Moroni, and I have religion... I'm working on my faith. I decided to read the Book of Mormon looking for ways that I could be stronger, like Moroni. That changed just about everything, I was studying with a purpose, and I wanted to use what I was learning. For the first time in my life, I felt like the Book of Mormon was written for me, and I actually could be stronger because of the Atonement.
I know the Book of Mormon is true, I have read it, I have prayed about it, and tried hard to live what I've learned from it. I know that the Book of Mormon is about the plan of salvation, and that Jesus Christ actually wants to save me! The more I learned, the more I wanted to share what I had with everyone.
These days, I am alright with being churchy, Moroni helped me with that, but, believe it or not, I still need help with other things, so this year I am going to be looking for things that will help me be a good dad and husband (something tells me Moroni could help with that one too). Keeping a journal of what I find will help me hang on to the principles, and that is kind of what this blog is all about. Also, I like talking about the scriptures with people who are also studying them, if you have a comment, please tell me. The links to other blogs on this page are to people who are reading the Book of Mormon and sharing what they find; It's kind of like a scripture blog commune. If you would like to be part of this, just let me know, we'll talk.
I am excited to see what the Book of Mormon has in store this year. This is going to be an adventure!