1 Ne. 17: Trials and Blessings

Nephi and his family, along with the others who traveled with them through the wilderness, had to deal with much heartache and great affliction. But as you read about their marvelous journey, you can see that the Lord didn't leave them to do it alone. He was there all along the way, guiding them and blessing them in many ways.
I love the following song:

I Saw God Today

By George Straight

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop 

Had to take a break 

I'd been by her side for 18 hours straight 

Saw a flower growin' in the middle of the sidewalk 

Pushin' up through the concrete 

Like it was planted right there for me to see 

The flashin' lights 

The honkin' horns 

All seemed to fade away 

In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08 

I saw God today 

I've been to church 

I've read the book 

I know he's here 

But I don't look 

Near as often as I should 

Yeah, I know I should 

His fingerprints are everywhere 

I just slowed down to stop and stare 

Opened my eyes and man I swear 

I saw God today 

Saw a couple walkin' by they were holdin' hands 

Man she had that glow 

Yeah I couldn't help but notice she was startin' to show it 

Stood there for a minute takin' the sky 

Lost in that sunset 

Splash of amber melted in the shades of red 

I've been to church 

I've read the book 

I know he's here 

But I don't look 

Near as often as I should 

Yeah, I know I should 

His fingerprints are everywhere 

I just slowed down to stop and stare 

Opened my eyes and man I swear 

I saw God today 

Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass 

She's sleepin' like a rock 

My name on her wrist 

Wearin' tiny pink socks 

She's got my nose, she's got her mama's eyes 

My brand new baby girl 

She's a miracle 

I saw God today

At times in our life, things can become so hectic and chaotic that we forget to see the tiny miracles and blessings in our life. Our Heavenly Father is so aware of us and what we are dealing with day to day. Lamen and Lemuel where too busy complaining about what they didn't have and what they were required to do that they didn't see these blessings. They only looked at the negative, blaming everything on their father, Lehi, and their younger brother, Nephi.

"And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness." 1 Ne. 17:3

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
"Yea, and the Lord said also that: After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem." 1 Ne. 17:13-14

The Lord provided so many blessings along the way. It was because of the trials they were challenged with, they were strengthened and accomplished the things the Lord commanded them. Nephi was so courageous and never gave up! I can't wait to meet him someday! He is my hero! 

Challenges and Trials (up to this point):

1. Commanded to leave their home to journey through the wilderness
2. Commanded to return for gold plates (3x)
3. Nephi commanded to chop off head of Laban 
4. Constant complaining and threatenings from older brothers & friends
5. Broke all bow & arrows causing hunger
6. Women did bear children in the wilderness
7. Lived on raw meat
8. Journeyed through the wilderness for 8 years
9. Nephi commanded to build a ship - laughed at for thinking he could

"We had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all..." 1 Ne. 17:6

Blessings from the Lord:

1. Retrieved the gold plates for future generations 
2. Wisdom in the Lord continued with them throughout their journey 
3. A compass provided to guide & direct 
4. Visions of understanding & direction
5. Commanded & then prepared a way for it to be accomplished
6. Strength to carry on
7. Made raw meet sweet to they didn't have to cook it
8. Guided them out of the wilderness to the seashore
9. Provided direction as to how to build a ship

Life is not easy. We will be asked to do many things and endure many trials. But as long as we keep believing in faith, knowing he will provide a way, we will be blessed. Open your eyes and see your own blessings in your life. 

My own current trials (just to name a few):

1. Still living the single life when I am ready to move forward to marriage & family 
2. Hernia #2 - scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks (making surgery #9)
3. Stressed because of personal training test & knowledge I have to retain to pass it
4. Continuing effects from my brain injury 3 1/2 years ago 
5. Our dog went missing, cried on & off all weekend 
6. Never-ending bills that just keep coming my way & school and car debt
7. Ongoing stomach issues bringing a variety of symptoms every day 

Blessings I have seen in my life:

1. Strength to make it through each day (even in pain)
2. Amazing family whom I love oh, so, very much! 
3. Great technology and incredible doctors doing all they can to help me
4. Increased knowledge as I study 
5. Prayer answered and Rex returned home 
6. Ability to pay every bill that I am faced with each month as I pay tithing first
7. I live in beautiful America, have a good home to stay in, great education, and awesome support from family and friends! 

What more could I ask for! I am so blessed in so many more ways then one! They are pouring down upon me each and every day! I love life and despite all I am going through, I am grateful for the strength I have gained from trials! I am such a stronger person because of them. 

Nephi reminds his brothers of the incredible miracles which were performed by the Lords hand in guiding the children of Israel out of the hands of Egyptians and carried out of bondage led by Moses

1. Waters of the Red Sea were divided allowing them to cross on dry ground
2. Fed manna in the wilderness and water flowed from a rock to quench thirst
3. Led along the way giving light by night

"And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy them; and according to his word he did lead them; and according to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by his word." 1 Ne. 17:31

"And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my brethren, insomuch that they were confounded and could not contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days. Now they durst not do this lest they should wither before me, so powerful was the Spirit of God; and thus it had wrought upon them." 1 Ne. 17:50-51

The Lord has such great power! 

After the Lord shows Laman and Lemuel his great power (not the first time he has done this) through Nephi, they quickly ask of forgiveness and wish to worship Nephi...

"And now, they said: We know of a surety that the Lord is with thee, for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has shaken us. And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying: I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee." 1 Ne. 17:55

We, too, need to thank the Lord for our blessings. As I pondered this scripture I began thinking about all of my many talents and blessings. Each one is a gift from my Heavenly Father. I need to show my gratitude everyday through prayer and through sharing my talents with those around me. 

“[The Lord] will not permit us to fail if we do our part. He will magnify us even beyond our own talents and abilities. … It is one of the sweetest experiences that can come to a human being” Ezra Taft Benson 

Try to look more closely for those times where God has blessed your life. See his hand in helping you to be successful and strengthened. Think positive! I know that as you do this, life will seem so much better and you will have so much more to live for! Take each challenge one step and a time and just think how much stronger you will be in the end! 

-Sarah M. 

1 Ne. 16: Answer to Our Prayers

Nephi and his family continue their journey through the wilderness, guided by the Liahona and their faith. As they journey forward, Nephi breaks his bow.

"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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?

"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."(vs. 18-24)

Instead of complaining like the rest of his family, Nephi went ahead and did something about it! He handmade a bow and then went to the Lord for direction. He didn't just expect the Lord to make food appear or magically make things easier. He knew he had to do his part and in doing so, the Lord would provide a way and give direction. 

"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." (Bible Dictionary - Prayer)

This past weekend, our dog went missing. Rex is part of our family and we all love him so very much. I will admit, he can be a big pain and is the world's greatest trouble maker, but has become apart of our family. At the beginning of October, 6 years ago, I bought him as a puppy. He quickly stole our hearts and brings us joy to have have around. Then, Friday night, he went missing. Rex is like Houdini - he can find his way out of anywhere! At first, I didn't think much of it because he is always getting out and then easily finds his way home. But when I found out he still hadn't returned by nightfall (I was out on a date and then with friends) I became more worried. It didn't fully hit me until I climbed into bed, then the tears began streaming down my face. I kneeled before my Heavenly Father, pleading to bring him home. Praying for his safety and given direction as to where we should look. 

Morning came and in hopes of seeing him chillin' on the front lawn, wondering why we had left him out all night, there was no Rex. We had to rush off to get family pictures done, but the moment we were finished, we began posting flyers, called the pound, and I circled the neighborhood on my bike, asking if anyone had seen him. No luck. We posted 21 posters and listed him on KSL as missing. I couldn't study, I had a hard time functioning. I was trying to have the faith that he would return, but I also know that our will isn't always the will of the Father. I had done everything I could to return him home again, now it was up to the family's faith and prayers that we would have him back in our arms. Aspen even said a little prayer for him while in the middle of eating lunch. Nick and Zoe were praying too. I began praying that he would come home, not only because I missed him terribly, but also that Nick could see a prayer answered. 

Saturday night, Zoe's mom saw a Found Dog ad on KSL "Found Dachshund, no coller, Sandy". It was too late to call, but I got down on my knees again, hoping this would be him. First thing Sunday morning, mom calls. She rushes down to my room, "Sarah, I think it is Rex!" I jump out of bed and we rush the 1.9 miles across Highland to see if it was an answer to our prayer. There they were, a cute young couple. He was holding their baby and she had Rex in her arms! I was so relieved and thankful! Mom and I were hugging her and thanking them for taking care of him. 

Thank you Alisha and Eric for keeping him safe. However, he was hit by a car (we think that is what happened) before showing up on their street. We took him in to the vet and another prayer answered. No breaks and nothing serious, just a sprain or strain in his hind right leg.  

I am so grateful for prayer and for Heavenly Fathers awareness of all we are going through. He watches over and protects our loved ones and I am so grateful to have Rex home again. Now...I am praying that Nick and Zoe can see that this was an answer to our prayers and not just a coincidence.  

-Sarah M.