You Can Do It - 1 Nephi 3

This is a great chapter! We learn some important doctrine here. When the Lord commands, do it. It's that simple. Sometimes easier said then done. Let's dig in.

1. Don't murmur. It's that simple. You'll be better off for it. (1 Nephi 3:6)

2. This is a GREAT verse, it's actually a scripture mastery.

"...I Nephi said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7)

Just Do it. Here we learn that the Lord will not issue a commandment to us that we can't keep. In fact,
he'll provide a way for us to keep his commandments. For example, with tithing, if you pay an honest tithe, God will provide a way for things to work out. It can usually be a surprise, but if you keep that law, blessings based on that law will follow. It's the same with all of God's commandments.  If we strive to keep them, He'll provide a way for us to keep them.

This is such an important concept, that we even have a song about it! It's called Nephi's courage. LDS kids grow up singing this song. :)

3. Encourage others to keep the commandments. (1 Nephi 3:16) Here Nephi is encouraging his brothers to keep the commandments. 

4. God has wisdom in his commandments. (1 Nephi 3:19). God isn't going to issue a commandment that's unwise. He is perfect and wants us to become like him. So, his commandments are perfect and there is wisdom in them. 

5. Pep talks never hurt the discouraged. (1 Nephi 3:21) Nephi spends some time giving his brothers a pep talk and encouragement, eventually they agree to try again in getting the brass plates. 

6. God protects his chosen. (1 Nephi 3:29). Here, Laman and Lemuel are angry at Nephi. I think maybe part of their anger was because they were scared and just came out of a high-stress situation. Laban and his men were chasing after Laman, Lemual, Sam and Nephi to kill them. I think afterwards it'd be a little stressed and high strung too. But, Laman and Lemual take it to far. They find a rod and start hitting Nephi! They are so intense and focus on hitting him, that God sends an angel to break up their fight! (I can't imagine what Sam must have been thinking.) The angel was pretty bold with them. Nevertheless, Nephi is saved by an angel.

7. Visions, signs and angels don't change a person or gives someone faith. (1 Nephi 3:31) So, let's think about this. Laman and Lemuel were hitting Nephi, an angel comes and stops them while criticizing them at the same time. Then, after the angel leaves, Laman and Lemual murmur. Faith has to be present before a vision or a sign or it won't change a person. It won't matter. After the angel visits, Laman and Lemuel still doubt. 

These are just a few of the many lessons we can learn from 1 Nephi 3. Great lessons. Let us be faithful in keeping God's commandments. Just remember "YOU CAN DO IT!" :)

- SamiMae