Daily Reading Question
Nephi and his brothers were “exceedingly sorrowful” after they failed to obtain the brass plates (see 1 Nephi 3:14). How was Nephi’s response to this failure different from that of his brothers? (See 1 Nephi 3:15–16.)
Daily Talk
It is interesting to look at the differences between Laman and Nephi. At first it seems obvious, but sometimes I forget that Laman was asked and tried to do something really hard: Go to Laban by HIMSELF and retrieve the plates. That would have been really scary for me to do, but he went. Not only that, but after he failed, he went back a second time with his brothers. There is something to be said for that.
ReplyDeleteI think where the difference lies between him and Nephi are in their attitudes. While it doesn't say specifically, I imagine Laman grumbling the whole way, maybe making a half-hearted pitch to Laban for the plates and then complaining the whole way back of how stupid this whole thing is. Where we know Nephi was always steadfast and faithful while on the Lord's errand.
This caused some self-reflection for me. When I'm going to church, home teaching, going to the temple, or working on my calling; am I doing so with a Laman or Nephi-like attitude. That makes a huge difference. I think I get blessings for going to church regardless of my attitude. But there is a huge difference if I go and just coast through the meetings, don't make any comments, and just watch the clock for it to be over; compared to if I go excited to participate in the lessons and renew my covenants.
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ReplyDeleteThanks to Maury for sharing how these verses relate to him! That really helped these verses give more meaning to me when I thought of it that way.
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ReplyDeleteMaury I really enjoyed your comment. Nephi looked at getting the plates as an honor. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do. Laman looked at it more as another duty. Duty is fulfill your obligations and having the mind set that if I failed at less I tried.
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ReplyDeleteNephi did not doubt that the Lird would like provide a way for them to accomplish their task. It was necessary for their family to have the plates and Nephi was determined to do what his Father and the Lord had asked of him. I liked how in the talk Elder Maynes said that to keep our covenants faithfulkybis the way to earn the Lord's trust. Nephi is such a marvelous example of this.
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