1 Nephi 4

I was struck at the beginning how Nephi used the story of Moses to convince his brothers of the strength of the Lord. I’ve never really seen the intrinsic values in the stories of the scriptures before. That’s probably obvious to most people, but I’ve always wondered about teaching them to kids and what they got out of it. I also like how this showed how Nephi was likening the scriptures to them, like he talks about later. (1 Nephi 19:23)

In verse 11 I’ve always wondered why Nephi talked about the wrongs Laban had committed, as if that helped justify killing him. But I think more that he was worried about his own intentions. Like when I worry about whether I want to do a good job teaching relief society for my own pride or for His glory. But in the next verse the Spirit constrained him again, reassuring him that it was God and not his own anger saying to kill Laban.

I was also struck by verse 6 where Nephi says he went “led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.” My life is so much like that. Sometimes it is frustrating to me to not see the end from the beginning. I’m such a planner and worrier. But I always receive the revelation I need as I need it, and have to just keep moving forward in faith. I guess that’s probably a blessing to help me learn faith, and to help me not go crazy worrying about things. I always have to remind myself, “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”(Matthew 6:34)