Highly Favored of the Lord – 1 Nephi 1:1

1 I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.

In the first verse of the Book of Mormon, Nephi teaches an important principle. He acknowledges the adversity in his life while giving thanks for the great blessings he has received, both from goodly parents and from a loving Heavenly Father. Note that Nephi is not unaware of his afflictions: he neither ignores them nor minimizes them. But he also acknowledges the amazing blessings he has received. And because he has an accurate perception of both the good and the bad in his life, he is able to recognize that the good far outweighs the bad.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught us how an accurate understanding of our blessings can empower us to be grateful even when we are experiencing challenges:

In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over” (“Grateful in Any Circumstance,” General Conference, April 2014).

Today, I will strive for an accurate perception of both my difficulties and my blessings, including the blessings that are yet to come. I will be grateful as I recognize the goodness of God and the many blessings He gives to me.

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