Friday, January 22, 2021

Personal Study - Thursday, 22 January, 2021

 

Favored of the Lord?


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.

- The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1:1

 

So... WHO is favored of the Lord and what does it mean?  THAT is a question for the ages, and it is answered abundantly in The Book of Mormon.  


"Therefore go, my son, and thou shalt be favored of the Lord, because thou has not murmured."

- 1 Nephi 3:6

 

"Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God."

- 1 Nephi 17:35

 

Those who hearken unto God are favored of Him.  See also these scriptures relating to how the Lord extends or revokes His favor in addition to 1 Nephi 1:1 and those already quoted: 


2 Nephi 1:19 Mosiah 1:13 Mosiah 10:13

Alma 9:20 Alma 13:23 Alma 27:30

Alma 46:16 Alma 48:20 Alma 56:19

Alma 58:41 3 Nephi 10:18 Ether 1:34

D&C 105:25 D&C 109.21 D&C 124:6

Moses 6:31 JS-History 1:75

For the King james Bible, the spelling is "favoured."

Luke 1:28 Luke 2:52 Acts 2:47

Acts 7:10 …and over 60 Old Testament
references for further study.

 

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Personal Study - Thursday, 14 January, 2021

 The Blessings of Affliction

 


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.

- The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1:1

 

 "...and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days"

 This is a pregnant clause; pregnant with understatement.  It doesn't begin to express the suffering Nephi endured for his devotion to God.

    Nephi not only suffered at the hands of his two eldest brothers, but at some point or another endured - at least - the murmurings of even his parents.  There is a price to be paid for the things of God, else, how are they to be valued?

    The strength and sheer weight of this clause is not apparent to the new reader of The Book of Mormon.  The lesson for us is that there is a counterbalance, for from the next phase comes this:

"...nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days..."

        - The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1:1

 

And from Hebrews 11:6:

"...he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him..."