1 Nephi 1-5: Getting to know the Dealings of God
I love the Book of Mormon because it helps me feel like I understand God better, know what to expect from Him and what he expects of me, so I can live a better life than I might otherwise. Nephi's struggle to get the plates is not just to preserve the language, the words of prophets, the culture, but to help his posterity know the dealings of God - the stories and experiences of so many others - to inform their own journey; Without that, we might be tempted as Laman and Lemuel to rebel against God's invitations ( 1 Nephi 2:12 ). While Nephi's experience with Laban seems an irresolvable quandry, it has challenged me to think about what I would be willing to do for God, and how important it is for me to know God's path for me. The decision long ago to try to live my life to serve Him and foster beauty and goodness as He does, has brought abundant joy and peace into my life. The challenges and daily struggle are still real, and there are days when I feel like I've los...