Tag: faith

In Lehi’s vision, multitudes of people pressed forward faithfully to the tree of life by holding on to the rod of iron until they were able to partake of the fruit. 

Based on 1 Nephi 8:29–30:
29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.
30 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.

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After eight years in the wilderness, Lehi’s growing family comes to a land near the sea. They call it Bountiful because of its abundant fruit and wild honey. Nephi hears the voice of the Lord commanding him to go up into the mountain to pray. There he receives a commandment from the Lord to build a ship to carry his people across the sea. Nephi prays to know where he might find ore to make tools to build the ship. He makes a bellows from animal skins and uses rocks to make fire. After crafting tools, he sets to work building the ship. When Laman and Lemuel discover what Nephi is doing, they call him a fool and criticize his efforts. He responds by recounting the history of God’s dealings with their ancestors, the children of Israel, and reminds them that they themselves have seen an angel. As he speaks, Nephi is filled with the power of God, and Laman and Lemuel are afraid to contend against him for many days. The Lord speaks to Nephi and tells him to stretch forth his hand toward his brothers. He does so, and the Lord shocks them. Laman and Lemuel confess that they know the Lord is with Nephi. Lehi’s family finishes the ship and sets sail towards the promised land.

Based on 1 Nephi 17–18.

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Nephi shows his faith by making a new bow and an arrow. Armed with his new bow and a sling with stones, Nephi seeks direction from his prophet-father, Lehi, regarding where to hunt. Lehi repents and seeks the Lord’s guidance. As a result, he is able to tell Nephi where to go for food, and Nephi successfully kills wild animals to feed the families.

1 Nephi 16:23–32:
23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?
24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.
25 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow.
26 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.
27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.
28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.
30 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball.
31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.
32 And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.

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Lehi’s family continues their journey to the promised land. After days at sea, Nephi’s brothers and the sons of Ishmael and their wives begin to offend the Spirit with inappropriate singing, dancing, and rude speech. When Nephi counsels them to stop for fear that the Lord will become angry with them, Laman and Lemuel take him and bind him with cords. The Liahona ceases to work, and a great storm beats against the ship for three days. On the fourth day, when Laman and Lemuel are certain they will be swallowed up by the storm, they begin to see that the judgments of God are upon them so they release Nephi. The Liahona begins to work again, and Nephi steers the ship toward the promised land. Lehi’s family arrives at the promised land.

Based on 1 Nephi 18.

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Hard times always follow blessings. The wooden hunting bows lose their springs, and Nephi’s metal bow breaks, leaving them unable to kill game for food. Even Lehi begins to complain about the Lord having abandoned them as they suffer for lack of food.

1 Nephi 16:18–22:
18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.
19 And it came to pass that we did return without food to our families, and being much fatigued, because of their journeying, they did suffer much for the want of food.
20 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God; yea, and they were all exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord.
21 Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, having been afflicted with my brethren because of the loss of my bow, and their bows having lost their springs, it began to be exceedingly difficult, yea, insomuch that we could obtain no food.
22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God.

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Lehi’s sons marry the daughters of Ishmael and fulfill the Lord’s commands. The Lord commands the company to continue on their journey and provides a tool called the Liahona that shows the direction to go. All the hunting bows become weak or break, but Nephi shows faith by making a new bow, asking his father where to find food, and then successfully hunting where the Lord directed him to go. Lehi’s family learns that God’s guidance comes in response to their faith, humility, and diligence in keeping His commandments. 

Based on 1 Nephi 16.

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The Lord reveals to Lehi that his sons should return to Jerusalem and enlist Ishmael’s family in their journey so that those sons could marry Ishmael’s daughters and have families. Ishmael’s family consents to join them. Along the way, disagreements break out, and Laman and Lemuel lead a rebellion. They bind Nephi and leave him for wild animals to devour him, but Nephi is miraculously released. Laman and Lemuel repent, and the company completes their journey to join with Lehi and Sariah.

Based on 1 Nephi 7.

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The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/7?lang=eng
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