1 Nephi Chapter 6

• 6:3 Nephi values the things of God
• 6:4 Nephi wants to bring people to God
• 6:5 Nephi doesn't care what the world thinks
• 6:6 Nephi passed on advice

Short chapter! I think it's cool that an entire chapter is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of focusing on the word of God.

1 Nephi Chapter 5

• 5:1 Lehi felt joy when reunited with his children
• 5:1 Sariah felt joy when reunited with her children
• 5:1 Sariah mourned for her children while they were gone
• 5:5 Lehi had faith that the Lord would deliver his children
• 5:5 Lehi testified to his wife after she had criticized him
• 5:6 Lehi comforted his wife using the Spirit
• 5:8 Sariah shared her testimony once she got it
• 5:9 Lehi and Sariah gave thanks to God
• 5:10 Lehi searched the scriptures
• 5:16 Lehi discovered his genealogy
• 5:16 Laban and his father had kept genealogical records
• 5:17 Lehi was worthy to be filled with the Spirit
• 5:17 Lehi prophesied
• 5:20 Lehi and Nephi kept the commandments
• 5:21 Lehi and Nephi searched the scriptures
• 5:21 Lehi and Nephi desired the scriptures
  
• 5:21 Lehi and Nephi recognized the worth of the scriptures
• 5:21 Lehi and Nephi planned to preserve the commandments to their children
• 5:22 Lehi and Nephi carried the brass plates on their journey

First thought of the night--Sariah. It must take a lot to get the wife of a prophet to murmur that much. I really hope I never bog my husband down with murmuring.

Second thought of the night--to all those complainers who whine that they can't bring their scriptures to seminary/church/sleepover/etc because they are too heavy, try carrying the brass plates through the wilderness!

Third and final thought--Lehi and Nephi were a lot alike. I kind of knew that but didn't know that. Verses 20-22 talk about Nephi and Lehi together--cool, I think!

1 Nephi Chapter 4

• 4:1 Nephi keeps trying
• 4:1 Nephi encourages others to do good
• 4:1 Nephi recognizes that God is more powerful than all
• 4:2 Nephi knew the scriptures
• 4:2 Nephi likened the scriptures
• 4:3 Nephi trusted in the Lord
• 4:4 Again, the brothers do what they're asked, but they murmur while doing it
• 4:6 Nephi allowed himself and was worthy to be led by the Spirit
• 4:14 Nephi remembered
• 4:18 Nephi followed the Spirit even when it was hard
• 4:31 Nephi recognized the source of his strength
• 4:32 Nephi was no respecter of persons
• 4:33 Nephi made oaths he meant to keep
• 4:33 Nephi offered to save Zoram
• 4:35 Zoram made oaths he meant to keep
• 4:35 Zoram was loyal

Verse 13 is one I've heard many times--better to lose one soul than lose a nation to unbelief. I wonder if Nephi knew what nation was meant? Laban wasn't a bad guy, as far as I can tell. He didn't want to give his records to someone he considered a crazy prophet. Besides that, I don't think he was necessarily all bad. The fact that the Spirit prompted his death gives an idea that he might've been, but nothing else clues you into that. I don't think Jerusalem was the nation he was referring to. I think it was the nation of the Nephites and the Lamanites--one Nephi probably didn't even really think about! Who thinks about the nation their children will become? Not I!

The second thing I thought about was why Zoram was so willing to leave based on a promise of protection! He should've been safe in the city--he was an elder! Why did he feel he needed to go with a family he didn't know into the wilderness? Only the Spirit can prompt something like that.

1 Nephi Chapter 3

• 3:1 Nephi spoke with the Lord
• 3:2 Lehi shared revelation with children
• 3:2 Lehi was worthy to receive revelation for his children
• 3:3 Laban kept genealogical records
• 3:6 Nephi didn't murmur
• 3:7 Nephi had faith
• 3:7 Nephi was willing to do what the Lord commanded
• 3:9 Nephi, Lamen, Lemuel, and Sam did as their father asked
• 3:15 Nephi wouldn't give up
  
• 3:17 Nephi prophesied
• 3:20 Nephi prepared for his children
• 3:22 Nephi did...he didn't just wait for an answer
• 3:29 Nephi and Sam did not fight back

It is interesting to me that three characters that would not usually fall under the category of virtuous did something virtuous--Laman, Lemuel, and Laban. People can do virtuous things, but living a virtuous life means consistently doing virtuous things. Do I want to dabble or enfold myself in virtue?

1 Nephi Chapter 2

• 2:1 Lehi was faithful
• 2:1 Lehi followed the Lord's instructions to him
• 2:2 Lehi was obedient
• 2:4 Lehi left worldy things to follow the Lord
• 2:4 Lehi lived within his means
• 2:5 Lehi stuck with his family
• 2:7 Lehi sacrificed
• 2:7 Lehi gave thanks to the Lord
• 2:9 Lehi believed in his children
• 2:9 Lehi gave counsel unto his children
• 2:10 Lehi emphasized the importance of the gospel to his children
• 2:14 Lehi used the Priesthood worthily (footnote b)
• 2:16 Nephi desired to know
• 2:16 Nephi prayed
• 2:16 Nephi was humble
• 2:16 Nephi sought an answer on his own
• 2:16 Nephi did not rebel
• 2:17 Nephi shared with those that would listen
• 2:17 Sam believed Nephi
• 2:18 Nephi was sad when others wouldn't believe
• 2:18 Nephi prayed for others
• 2:19 Nephi had faith
• 2:19 Nephi prayed
• 2:19 Nephi was diligent
• 2:19 Nephi was humble
• 2:20 The Lord prepares a place for those that are righteous

The biggest thing I noticed in this chapter was the difference between those that were virtuous and those that were not. The differences are astronomical. Laman and Lemuel would not. That's the key. They would not pray, would not listen, would not be humble, would not choose to be happy, would not count their blessings, would not follow the prophet willingly. They did things because they had to.

That last sentence reminds me of a point John Bytheway made in my favorite talk by him--Get an Attitude. Laman and Lemuel did the things they were asked to, but only because they had to. Only after complaining. Only after making other people suffer. A virtuous person would not do that. If I am going to return to virtue, I can't complain about the things I do. I need to follow the example of Nephi, Lehi, and Sam. Especially Sam, I think. He was virtuous even though he didn't always receive credit for it. We often know he's doing right solely because he's not listed with Laman and Lemuel. I can't be virtuous so that people will know I'm virtuous. I have to do it for me.

That being said, I will try and state a quote I heard in Relief Society. I hope to live in such a way that a man has to find God to find me.

I love this gospel!

1 Nephi Chapter 1

• 1:1 Nephi's parents taught their children
• 1:1 Nephi had a great knowledge of the goodness and mysteries of God. That'snot something you just get. He must've been studying the things of God
• 1:1 Nephi kept a journal
• 1:3 Nephi bears testimony
• 1:5 Lehi prayed with all his heart, for others
• 1:6 Lehi HEARD
• 1:7 Lehi pondered
• 1:9 Christ stands out among others
• 1:10 Christ has good friends
• 1:11 Disciple shared the gospel
• 1:12 Lehi read good books
• 1:14 Lehi praised and spoke to God
• 1:16 Lehi prophesied and spake unto his children
• 1:17 Nephi recorded family history
• 1:18 Lehi acted on promptings
• 1:18 Lehi shared his knowledge
• 1:18 Lehi had charity towards his fellowman (to continue sharing with those who hated him)
• 1:19 Lehi stood for right even when it was hard
• 1:20 Nephi recognized the Lord's hand even in trial
• 1:20 Nephi had faith

I am so excited to continue this journey! Look at all of these things that were listed both implicitly and explicitly! It is so cool to have a real purpose as I study and I think I will learn and feel so much as I apply this study habit to the whole Book of Mormon. My problem is going to be making time for it. You think it'd be easy to make time for the most important things, but thanks to Satan it is not. I have good things I'm doing, but they are not the best things.

Looking at my notes, I can see that Nephi had an amazing example to look to as he grew into this virtuous man. I hope I can be that example for my children. I find the things that referred to Christ in verses 9 and 10 interesting. He came down ahead of everyone else--He always does...He is the only begotten. But if we are always striving to be like Him, shouldn't we try and rise above the rest as well? It reminds me of these mormonads:



This was the first one I thought of, but it is more about being happy. Still, if you look at the picture, it is what I think we are supposed to be doing.




When I realized the first one didn't truly match, I thought of this. we need to stick out in the crowd! Like Mary Ellen Edmunds book, we should be Peculiar in a Good Way!

Also, I don't know what book the disciple gave Lehi, so I assumed it was related to the gospel. Pretty good assumption, I think, if you consider the fact that it is a heavenly vision of an apostle bringing a book to a prophet.

Anyway, that's all for today! I don't know if I'll be able to post everyday, but I hope to be able to read, study, and ponder every day! I can't wait to take Moroni's Challenge at the end and I hope I really feel that answer.

An Introduction

Today in Relief Society, we were challenged to join with the young women in completing the Personal Progress project for the new value--virtue. I am going to take that challenge.

The virtue value project reads:

The Savior chose to live a virtuous life. Follow His admonition to "learn of me" (D&C 19:23) by reading the entire Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Liken the scriptures to your life and circumstances. As you read, record your thoughts regularly in your journal. Note the example of the Savior's life and mission. What did the Redeemer and those who followed Him do to live virtuous lives? At the completion of your reading, record your testimony in your journal.

I started recording in my journal, but I may just end up recording everything on here. The posts will be short and simple, but I may add some thoughts at the end of each one. I will simply read the chapter and make note of virtuous qualities that I notice in the characters of the Book of Mormon. These were real people. As stated in a conversation between Garth and Jim in Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites:

"They really existed once, you know."
"Who?" Jim asked.
"Nephites," Garth replied. "Every character in the Book of Mormon ate, slept, died, and was buried."

They are real and I am excited to start studying their virtuous examples!