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.