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Insights &
Inspirations
Tripp Williams
"I enjoyed getting a clearer view of the leaving of Jerusalem cause I’ve never read it before."
Bishop Simmons
"I never realized in first Nephi chapter 8:23 that The mists of darkness actually affected those who had just started on their journey, but who had not yet reached the run of iron. This suggests to me the idea that they wandered off not from a lack of faith, but simply because they couldn't find the correct way to get to the rod and then persevere. It gives me a little more compassion."
Mary Kunz
"I got thinking tonight about how Lehi was doing everything right and following God's commandments. He had a good life in "the land of his inheritance' and had gold, silver and precious things. But then everyone in town turned on him, trying to kill him, including two of his own sons.
When the Lord then commanded him to leave it all and go into the wilderness. How easy would it be to say "Nope! This just isn't working out! I'm doing everything you ask and my world is falling apart!" Instead, he packed up his family (including his 2 angry sons) and journeyed into the wilderness. THEN he built an alter and GAVE THANKS to the Lord! Such a wonderful, beautiful example to follow when things just dont seem to be going the way we think they should! The Lord has a better plan a land of promise, in our future."
Taylor Teerlink
"I have noticed that as I have been reading the Book of Mormon regularly my prayers have changed from asking for specific blessings, to asking to have faith and strength to accept the Lord's will."
Ashley Wiemer
"I thought about lot about Laman and Lemuel. They had so many reasons to follow Christ and they continued to slide back into false belief. A lot of this was because of pride, but it occurred to me that they don't seem to have their hearts turned to Christ. Their motivations and intentions are not quite in the right place."
Heather Wright
"Nephi desired, believing, then he pondered and revelation was opened to him. What a great pattern to follow in our lives when we want to understand something more fully. Then he asked questions and pondered more. Have you asked?"
Blane Noel
"The Lord will be our light in whatever wilderness we might be struggling in today. He will prepare the way to the promised land if we choose to listen to Him and keep His commandments. His smarts will get me there, not me relying on my own reasoning. And when I arrive where He is, I'll know He got me there, He will save me. Saved by His grace, after all I can do. What can I do? Strive imperfectly to keep His commandments. Reading the BofM and keeping his commandments and covenants Opens the Door to seeing that light and feeling His love that will lead me out of this wilderness of today and get me Home eventually. So, let's strive again today, to keep His commandments to open that door to His smarts that will guide our choices and see others around us to help along the way!"
Jesse Wright
"These passages in 2 Ne 2:6-8 brought peace to my heart this morning- my heart hurts thinking about the tragic death yesterday at UVU and the wickedness and hate in my wonderful state and country. As I read these verses I felt a peace- the Holy Spirit touched my heart and reminded me that the Savior died for all and because of Him there is a resurrection and there is Redemption. Life does not end at death. There is life after this -not just as spirit bodies. In the spirit world the Father’s work continues, but that is not the end. There will be a glorious resurrection and a final judgement! Our sprits will be reunited with perfect bodies never to die again! I’m thankful for these truths. It helps lighten the burden on my heart and gives me courage to press forward."
RaeLene Mirzoyan
"I love to see that Nephi was counting his blessings in 1 Nephi 16:8. I know that doing so can help us see the Lord’s hand in our lives."
Mike Downie
"Nephi is a person I can look up to. I love his faith and his perseverance through very tough times in his life."
Tama Gaia
"It was interesting they lost faith in 1N, CH16 after obtaining the Liahona and being guided to all these places, that something as small as a BOW breaking caused them to doubt. It shows how imperfect we are as humans, if they REALLY would have taken a step back like Nephi did they would have realized they can make a new one, or find other ways to obtain food. I think the bow broke as a trial of their faith and almost all of them failed including Lehi and and except Nephi.."
Sister Simmons
"Have you inquired of the Lord? Big things, small things, all things, the Lord cares about the details of our lives. I know this to be true.
Ask in faith, believing, and ye shall receive. ❤️1 Nephi 15: 8, 11"
Mike Downie
"I’m noticing phrases about mercy more than I have before. I like that."
Tama Gaia
"It was cool learning about how Nephi was still thankful to the Lord despite leaving everything he loves behind."
Blake Byington
"I learned Heavenly Father will always be there for you even if you make a mistake, like Laman and Lemuel. And don’t go into the wilderness without a car. "
Sister AnnaLee Wright
"The first time reading it through I’m marking where it testifies of Christ. Then I’m marking the doctrines and principles. In 1st Nephi 11:14 God called Nephi by name just like he called Joseph Smith by name."
Heather Wright
"Nephi didn’t know what he should do, but he moved, and he not only moved, he moved in the direction of Laban’s house-he moved in what seemed like a productive direction. When we don’t know what to do or where to go, the Lord asks us to act in faith- in the direction that seems the best to us at the time, and he will direct our paths."
Matthew Wiemer
It really struck me this time when reading the Introduction that it says that the Book of Mormon is "a record of God's dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas." The way it is worded, it kind of frames it more from the perspective of God than those who are writing the words. I'm going to try and keep this frame in mind while I read the Book of Mormon this time.
Bishop Simmons
I love the faithfulness of Sam. Nephi received a divine witness (1 Ne. 2:16), but Sam simply believed his brother (1 Ne. 2:17). It reminds me that one of the gifts of the Spirit is to "believe on their words" (D&C 46:14). I should believe on the words of others more. I also think it's a helpful reminder to be like Nephi, in that we should faithfully share our experiences with friends and family.
Sister Simmons
Feeling paralyzed by the perfect way to study and mark my scriptures, the nudge I received from the spirit was “just read”. The Lord is mindful of our individual concerns.
Alan Frey
"I can shake off the bands of captivity and be free."
Joni Anderson
"That Nephi almost died twice and still loved his brothers…."
Blane Noel
"At times the Lord commands me to do things I don't fully understand, but He knows all things from the beginning and He prepares the way for all His children, even me, to accomplish all His work to get us back home. He has all power to fulfill His words."
Kevron Noel
"May we follow Lehi's example from the Tree of Life Vision where he decides to not need the mocking people and their pointing fingers of scorn."
Laura Bloomfield
"I have literally seen miracles in my life this week as I’ve dedicated more focus on the Lord by reading the Book of Mormon."
Lisa Aro
I'm usually a person that ponders my way through the scriptures. Consequently, it takes me forever to meander my way along. I feel like I get more out of it that way but I would never meet the goal that way. So I decided this time I'd just read and I feel like I'm getting something completely different out of this experience. I'm grateful for it and all it is bringing me.
Lucia McEwan
"The first think Lehi did when he would arrive at a new location while he was traveling in the wilderness was to give thanks. He was a great example of obedience, faith, perseverance."
Olive Byington
"If you don’t beleive something or are unsure you can always pray and ask Heavenly Father & Jesus for help. "
Bishop Simmons
"I love how Nephi's fears about Zoram cease once Zoram swears an oath. I want to be the type of person whom people can believe. When I say I'll do something, I want people to believe it. There's a saying in Italian, "detto, fatto" which means, "said, done" that kind of conveys that principle."
Matthew Wiemer
"In reading about Lehi's vision- we live in a time when truth can be hard to discern. So many competing voices and thoughts and ideologies. The Word of God (the iron rod) is an absolute truth that we can hold onto. If we can know no other truths, we can take comfort, strength, and courage in knowing that we have and can follow the Word of God and find ourselves back in His embrace."
Kevron Noel
"Nephi and Zoram both made oaths to each other. Oaths they've kept, unafraid. Nephi and Zoram became loyal friends, ever since."
Brenton Mock
"I started in 4th Nephi. I found myself mourning with Mormon regarding his people and their rebellion. It is hard to watch those you love self-destruct. He had to watch his whole people do so.
It is more incredible to see how merciful God is to those that even just try, even a little bit. "
RaeLene Mirzoyan
"I loved reading about how Sariah and Lehi were able to communicate and understand each other when Sariah thought that her boys were lost forever."
Matthew Wiemer
"All things typify of Christ. Just as Lehi's family stayed close to the waters of the Red Sea and were thus led to the most fertile parts of the land, when we keep ourselves close to the Living Waters of our Savior Jesus Christ, we are consistently led to the most fertile parts of life and receive the richness and fullness of blessing from our Father."
Bishop Simmons
"As I was reading in 1 Nephi 7 today, I noticed that after Nephi is bound by his brothers in the wilderness, in verse 17 he prays for "strength that I may burst these bands". In verse 18 it says "the bands were loosed". Nephi's ultimate desire was to be freed from his bonds, but the Lord answered his prayer in a way that was different from his desires and expectations. I imagine that happens with us too, more often than not."
Roane Noel
"I love how 1 Nephi is the story of a family. Their struggles, faith challenges, day-to-day life worries, their answered prayers and hopes with how other prayers would be answered. They're imperfect. They get cranky when they are hungry. They are doing their best. It's beautiful. I think it's all of us. And all along the way, the Lord leads us "into the more fertile parts of the wilderness."
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