Nephi opens his record by saying that he had been “highly favored of the Lord” and that he had received “a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God” (1 Nephi 1:1). How did he receive this knowledge? He tells us in the next chapter:
I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father.
1 Nephi 2:16
The mysteries of God weren’t simply handed to him. He received them because he prayed for understanding.
It’s worth noting that his brothers also had a spiritual experience. Their father spoke to them with great spiritual power “until their frames did shake before him.” After that, “they durst not utter against him” (at least for a while) (1 Nephi 2:14).
That experience had some value, keeping them on the journey with the family, but it was not as durable as Nephi’s. Why? Because Nephi’s experience came as a result of his own efforts and desire, not as a result of his father’s efforts and desire.
Mark L. Pace, the Sunday School General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said recently that the “Come, Follow Me” study program “has the goal of creating individual, personal spiritual experiences” (“‘Come, Follow Me’ simplifies from 4 manuals to 1,” Church News, 13 December 2023).
Today, as I continue my study of the Book of Mormon, I will seek for personal spiritual experiences, and I will encourage my family to do the same.
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