The past two months, as I’ve studied Lehi’s final counsel to his children and Nephi’s guidance for us, including extended quotations from his brother Jacob and the prophet Isaiah, I’ve grown in my ability to experience joy, to discipline myself, and to trust God. Here are some principles I’ve learned which I’ve been able to apply to my life:
1. “Stay yourselves and wonder”
From the beginning of the book, I was reminded by Lehi and Nephi to participate in activities which bring joy into my life. I particularly appreciated Lehi’s contrast of sense and insensibility (see 2 Nephi 2:11), which reminded me to be more intentionally aware of the people and circumstances around me.
But it was a statement by Isaiah late in the book which really captured my attention. “Stay yourselves and wonder,” he said (2 Nephi 27:4, Isaiah 29:9), which I interpret to mean, “Slow down, and let yourself be awestruck!”
For our spiritual and emotional health, we all need to participate regularly in activities which fill us with a sense of wonder, such as walking in nature, engaging with art, or worshipping in holy places. These experiences help us to be more humble, kind, productive, and joyful.
2. “The straitness of the path”
In the past, when I’ve considered Nephi’s answers to the question, “Why was Jesus baptized?” I’ve generally focused on two reasons: (1) to set an example of humility and (2) to communicate His willingness to obey His Father. (See 2 Nephi 31:7.) This time, I paid more attention to a third answer Nephi gives: to illustrate for us “the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which [we] should enter” (2 Nephi 31:9).
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are striving to discipline ourselves in order to become more like Him. The precision we seek as we participate in sacred ordinances is symbolic of our efforts to align ourselves precisely with God’s will and with His law.
The church supports us in our individual discipleship by providing a religious community with sacred spaces and formal activities designed to help us draw closer to God
3. “He will consecrate”
We usually talk about consecration as something we do as we willingly give our time, talents, and other resources to God. But several passages in 2 Nephi speak of God consecrating our afflictions, our performance, and our prayers for our gain.
I concluded that I should strive to consecrate everything I have and everything I am to God. But in a larger sense, I cannot consecrate anything. I can only give things to Him, which He will then consecrate for my gain and for the gain of other people.
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