17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God–and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come–I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.
18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
Nephi understood several important principles and was able to apply them to receive spiritual knowledge from God:
1. You have to ask. Heavenly Father is eager to bless us with great knowledge and understanding, but He will not force them upon us. We must demonstrate our desire for knowledge by seeking diligently through prayer, scripture study, and pondering. The process begins with us.
2. Spiritual knowledge comes to us by the power of the Holy Ghost. It is one thing to hear another person describe a spiritual experience and convey the truths they learned. It is another to participate in a spiritual experience yourself. To truly understand spiritual truths, we must experience them personally.
3. We are all beloved sons and daughters of God. He does not reserve His greatest gifts and truths for an elite group of His children. If He was willing to bless Lehi with great knowledge, then He was also willing to bless Nephi. If He was willing to bless Nephi, then He is also willing to bless us. This is true in any age of the world. We can have confidence as we seek for deeper understanding of spiritual truths that our Heavenly Father loves us and will help us, just as He has helped others in the past.