Nephi’s final written words.
And what a fitting sandwich to some of his first words, found in 1 Nephi 3:7: “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded”.
Obedience. It’s not the most popular word.
Why would we ever just do something because someone else told us to? Shouldn’t we be able to think for ourselves?
These are all valid questions, and ones that I actually find very useful and important in many situations.
But, still, Nephi is a stellar example of OBEDIENCE.
After studying Nephi’s words and writings for the past 2 months, I know that Nephi had strong faith in the Lord.
How did he show his love for the Lord? By being obedient through his ACTIONS.
He went back to get the plates. He made a new bow. He built a ship. He separated his people from Laman and Lemuel’s posterity.
He DID the things he was told to do by the Lord.
So how do we gain a testimony of the little elements of the gospel? Tithing, modesty, ministering, fulfilling church service callings…
We DO them. We obey what the Lord instructs us to do.
“Why is ministering important? No one has ever really ministered to me and I’ve been fine. I also just don’t really click with the people I’m assigned to.”
We can’t learn the importance of ministering until we obey. Until we go and do.
That is showing true faith. Not reasoning it out in our minds and then justifying coming up a little bit short.
We hear the command from the Lord, and we obey.
And when we keep the Spirit with us always, it is NEVER “blind obedience”. Although we may not see the purpose for what we do, we can receive a small confirmation that we WILL get there eventually.
I have had this experience a few, very tender times. I do not understand a principle or prompting, but when I muster up enough faith to do a little bit of action, the Spirit comes pouring in to let me know I’m heading in the right direction.
Our loving Heavenly Father knows how we can bring the most happiness into our lives.
And so when He commands or prompts or assigns – I will follow Nephi’s lifelong example, and quickly and simply OBEY.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
