1 Nephi 8–What is most precious, desirable and joyous above all things? Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life

Posted on August 9, 2026 by bonniesimone

I’ve been pondering what I can write about Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life. So much has been written about it. I did a search on the BYU scripture index. 1 Nephi 8 is been cited 228 times in General Conference talks. Why is this dream so significant? First of all we need to recognize that the Book of. Mormon was written for our day. How is a book that was written over 2500 years ago be written for me? What did these writers know about the challenges that I face. They were engraving on metal plates. I have a word processor. I can find information almost instantly. Yet, these writers, inspired by God, wrote the very things that we need. I believe this.

“The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us.

“Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. … If they saw our day and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?’” (Teachings: Ezra Taft Benson, 140).

So, I ask myself the question: “What can I learn from Lehi’s vision to help me live in this day and age?”

A dark and dreary wilderness

Lehi’s dream is timeless, profound and deeply symbolic. It is representative of our mortal journey from the fall to returning home to our Heavenly Father. In each of our personal journeys we go through a personal fall, a dark and dreary wilderness. We will probably experience a dark and dreary wilderness several times in our lives. It’s significant that Lehi was following a man dressed in a white robe, a heavenly guide. Perhaps Lehi wondered why, when he was following this heavenly guide, that he was in a dark and dreary wilderness. Sometimes we wonder why, when we are trying to do all the right things, that our lives seem dark and dreary. This dream teaches us that these experiences are part of our mortal journey. Even though we may not see them, our heavenly guides are close by.

The fruit of the tree of life

Lehi does what each one of us must do–turn to God in prayer for mercy to help us through our darkness. His prayer is rewarded as he sees the tree with fruit that he perceives is desirable to make one happy. As he tastes it he finds that it is “it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. Lehi eats some of the fruit and his soul is filled with “exceeding great joy.” I love the superlatives in this story. The fruit is “most sweet” and it “exceeds all whiteness” and it fills one with “exceeding great joy.” How does one describe something that is beyond description. Have you ever tried to explain your deep feelings to someone else. It’s difficult to do. Here Lehi is trying to describe his great joy. So, what is the tree of life.

Nephi helps us understand in 1 Nephi 11. After hearing his father relate his vision, he wants to understand the meaning of it. The tree of life is the main focus of his enquiry of the Lord, but God gives him so much more! He has a marvelous vision of the life and ministry of the Savior, but first the Spirit of the Lord appears to him and through a series of questions help him understand the meaning of the tree of life. First of all he asks Nephi if he believes his father saw the tree. It seems to be important for Nephi to declare his faith first before they continue. Nephi then sees the tree of life with its beautiful fruit and he adds that it is “precious above all.” Then an angel appears and helps him understand the meaning of the fruit. Instead of just telling him, he shows him a vision of the Savior.

1 Nephi 11:21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.

Now another superlative is added. It is the most joyous to the soul. Nephi adds more superlatives in his explanation to his brothers in 1 Nephi 15. It is most desirable and the greatest of all the gifts of God.

1 Nephi 15:fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren. Amen.

Jesus Christ is the tree of life! He is Heavenly Father’s greatest gift to us. Coming unto Christ and feeling His love is the most desirable, the most precious, the most joyous, the sweetest thing we can imagine.

Personal application: I have longed to feel the love of God in my life. Sometimes it seems far away, but that is my dark and dreary wilderness. I repent and try to continually hold to the iron rod which is the word of God, knowing that my faith will be rewarded.

To me this dream symbolizes

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Promises of the Book of Mormon

Posted on August 8, 2026 by bonniesimone

My love for the Book of Mormon started in 1987 when President Ezra Taft Benson gave his landmark talk in Conference “The Book of Mormon–the Keystone of our Religion.” He said that the church was under condemnation because we hadn’t been focusing on the Book of Mormon enough. We started his talk with attention getting statement:

“My beloved brethren and sisters, today I would like to speak about one of the most significant gifts given to the world in modern times. The gift I am thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technological revolutions. This is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine. It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel. I speak of the gift of the Book of Mormon, given to mankind 156 years ago.”

This caught my attention! He went on to about the specific ways the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. He also said that the church as a whole was under condemnation for treating the Book of Mormon lightly. He then talked about the blessings of studying the Book of Mormon. As I listened to him, I wanted these blessings for myself and my family. That’s when I began a serious study of the Book of Mormon. Many prophets have also talked about the blessings that come when studying the Book of Mormon so I’ve included one of President Nelson’s

President Ezra Taft Benson: “It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1986/10/the-book-of-mormon-keystone-of-our-religion?lang=eng

President Russell M. Nelson: “My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign
 or Liahona,
 Nov. 2017, 62–63).
 [2014], 141).

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/the-book-of-mormon-what-would-your-life-be-like-without-it?lang=eng

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1 Nephi 7–How is it ye have forgotten?

Posted on August 7, 2026 by bonniesimone

The 2nd journey back to Jerusalem

The 2nd journey back to Jerusalem is to go back and entreat Ishmael and his family to go with Lehi and his family. It seems like Lehi and Ishmael had a pervious relationship and that Lehi trusted Ishmael. It seems probable that in the perilous circumstances of the impending destruction of Jerusalem Ishmael had believed the prophecies of Lehi. He was a man of faith. It took courage for him to leave Jerusalem with his family. Notice that this time of going back to Jerusalem, at least a 3 days journey, Laman and Lemuel don’t object. There are girls involved! Even though it is undoubtably a great sacrifice, Ishmael goes with the brothers because the Lord has softened his heart. Seeking our own personal testimony is important.

Personal application: How has the Lord softened my heart? Do I allow him to soften my heart? When have I sought my own personal testimony?

Unfortunately, Laman and Lemuel think that they can now seize the opportunity to stay in Jerusalem and not follow their father into the wilderness. They seem to be very influential because they convince some of Ishmael’s family to rebel as well. Nephi tries to convince them of the error of their ways with faith-filled words. He uses the expression, “how is it ye have forgotten”, three times. He reminds them of God’s miracles in their behalf. They had seen an angel. God had delivered them out of the hands of Laban. God is able to do all things for us if we will but have faith.

Remember, remember, remember!

Remember, remember, remember! President Spencer W. Kimball, prophet from 1973 to 1985, famously said that “remember” was the most important word in the dictionary, spiritually.

The oldest continually practiced religious holiday celcbrated today is the Jewish Passover. All of the Jewish holidays are to help the Jews remember God’s hand in their lives. I’ve just been reading in the book of Esther. The Jews were commanded to keep the feast of Purim from the time of their deliverance from destruction by the wicked Haman”s plan to the present day.

Esther 9:27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

God is very invested in having us remember Him! He sets up beautiful ways for us to remember Him.

Personal application: When my faith dims, it’s important to remember all God has done for me. Remembering is the beginning of gratitude. The Sacrament was instituted by the Savior himself to remember his atoning sacrifice for us. I can find ways to remember by writing my experiences down.

Nephi’s prayer–According to my faith and forgiveness

Laman and Lemuel nefariously plot to tie Nephi up and leave him in the wilderness to be devoured by wild animals. Through Nephi’s faith the Lord gives him strength to break the bonds with which he is tied, but still his brothers are determined to show no mercy. When will they ever learn?! Finally, after the pleadings of some of the women, their hearts are softened and they let Nephi loose and even beg for his forgiveness. Without hesitation, Nephi forgives them, but, more importantly, tells them to seek God’s forgiveness

Personal application–In the most difficult of experiences Nephi is able to call upon God and exercise his faith. Can I do this as well? Heavenly Father is always aware of each of us and we can pray in faith.

My personal experience in seeking my own testimony

Many years ago when I was just a young mother with 2 small children, I had an amazing Spiritual Living teacher in Relief Society. Back then Relief Society was once a week. Each week had a different subject. The first week of the month was Spiritual Living. The 2nd week was Homemaking. The 3rd week was Social Relations and the 4th week was Cultural Refinement. The Spiritual Living teaching was Kathy Davis, our bishop’s wife. Harold B. Lee had recently been ordained as the new Prophet and President of the Church. She encouraged us to fast so that we could gain our own personal testimony that he was called of God. She said she had fasted and prayed about it and received an answer. I decided to do as she suggested. I fasted and prayed about it and didn’t receive any kind of answer. I told her about my experience and she suggested that I read something about his life or some of his talks and fast and pray again. I did that and didn’t receive any answer. I tried a third time and didn’t receive any answer. By that time, I became discouraged. I thought that something was the matter with me that God wasn’t answering my prayer. Interestingly, through that entire experience, I never doubted that he was the prophet, but I wanted my own confirmation as my teacher suggested.

Several months later we were out of the military and David was attending BYU. President Lee was coming to speak at the first devotional of the year. I was determined to go with my 2 little girls. Holly was 3 and Julienne 20 months. I had to park quite a distance from the Marriott Center and pull my little girls across campus. When we got to the Marriott Center the only seats were several rows up. We climbed those stairs and took our seat. We all watched for the prophet to enter through one of the portals. As was the custom, whoever saw the prophet first would start singing “We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet.” Then the whole audience would look for him and join the singing. The song would swell through the Marriott Center. When I caught sight of President Lee, he was dressed in a white suit and he seemed to glow. It was at that moment that the Spirit bore witness to me that he was a prophet. My fasting and prayers were rewarded, not on my timetable but on the Lord’s. Now, as I think back on this experience, maybe President Lee wasn’t really wearing a white suit, but God made him appear as if he was in white. This makes the experience all the more special.

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1 Nephi 1–The tender mercies of the Lord

Posted on August 5, 2026 by bonniesimone

In going back over my blog, I realized that I didn’t include insights into 1 Nephi1. I don’t know how that happened! It is such a crucial chapter beginning with a testimony of Jesus Christ by Lehi.

For a wise purpose

The record from 1 Nephi to Omni are called the “small plates of Nephi.” 1 and 2 Nephi were written by Nephi about 30 years after Lehi and his family have left Jerusalem, crossed the ocean and arrived in the promised land which is on the American continent. He is writing as a mature man who been tested and tried. He has already been keeping a record as he was commanded to do, but later he was commanded to make this additional record. He tells us in 1 Nephi 9 that he doesn’t know why the Lord has commanded him to make this record. He simply says it is for a wise purpose. As we will find out as we study Nephi, he has the faith to obey without knowing why, but he knows that God knows and that is sufficient.

1 Nephi 9:5 Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.

6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.

Nephi’s introduction

Nephi gives us a literary introduction of who he is, his purpose in writing, the language in which he is writing and also the historical context. It’s also significant that he bears his testimony in the very beginning that he knows that his record is true. This is something that is consistent with the various Book of Mormon authors. There are internal testimonies throughout the Book of Mormon.

1 Nephi 1:3 And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.

I will just give one more example of the many that are throughout the Book of Mormon.

Mosiah 1:6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.

Historical context–Nephi is going back to when they first left Jerusalem–in the commencement of the first year of King Zedekiah of the kingdom of Judah. This was in the year 597 BC. Lehi and other prophets, including Jeremiah are prophesying of the imminent destruction of Jerusalem. Although the people didn’t believe them and were angered by this message, the prophesies came true. Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple were completely destroyed about 10 years later.

Lehi’s vision and testimony–After Nephi’s introduction, the primary purpose of the Book of Mormon, to testify of Jesus Christ, begins with Lehi’s vision of the Savior. This vision comes as a result of prayer. We learn from Nephi how his father prayed. He prayed with all this heart. For whom did he pray? He prayed for his people, the people of Jerusalem, his family and friends. He faith was rewarded with a vision of the Savior which filled his soul with joy. He also testified of the coming of a Messiah and the redemption of the world.

The tender mercies of the Lord–Nephi concludes this chapter with what he wants us learn through his narrative. He wants to show us that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to us all. I love the word “tender.” Nephi shows us this through personal experiences and other examples. We have a tender, loving God!

Mercy bookends the Book of Mormon. Nephi writes about the “tender mercies of the Lord,” and in the very last chapter of the Book of Mormon Moroni writes about how merciful the Lord is.

1 Nephi 1:20 . . . But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

Moroni 10:3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

A beautiful beginning to an extraordinary book!

As an author Nephi is superb. He gives us an introduction of who he is, the historical context, gives us the main purpose of his record–to bear testimony of Jesus Christ and what he wants to accomplish through his record, to show us the tender mercies of the Lord. What a beautiful beginning to a extraordinary book!

The plates of Lehi–Nephi also gives us a little context of his father’s record. Lehi wrote down many of his visions, dreams and prophesies. Nephi explains that he will make an abridgment of his father’s record. We currently don’t have that record in the Book of Mormon. As we will learn later it was most probably part of the manuscript that was loaned to Martin Harris by Joseph Smith and subsequently lost.

Personal application: I can pray more earnestly for my family and friends. I can be bold in my testimony of Jesus Christ as was Lehi and Nephi. I can have faith in the “tender mercies” of the Lord.

Nephi writing on the plates

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1 Nephi 6 and 9–The Things of God

Posted on August 4, 2026 by bonniesimone

I’m putting these 2 chapters together because they are an interlude in the story explaining the purpose of Nephi’s writings. In 1 Nephi 6 he explains that he desires to write the things of God. What an awesome desire and responsibility! It expresses Nephi’s commitment and love for God. He wants to persuade others to come unto the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who is Jesus Christ. If we come unto Jesus Christ we can be saved. This is Nephi’s ultimate desire. As we continue in the Book of Mormon we see that this is the desire of all the prophets in the Book of Mormon. Every prophet is true to this purpose.

The prophet Mormon, the chief compiler of the Book of Mormon, whom we meet much later in the record states the same purpose: “that ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, which ye shall have among you. . .  And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.” Jesus Christ, himself, states at the conclusion of his ministry to the Nephites,  “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. (3 Nephi 27:13) Mormon’s son, Moroni, final words to us at the end of the Book of Mormon are to invite us come unto Christ.

Moroni 10:32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him. . . 33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

This is the ultimate goal of our earthly experience–to be sanctified in Christ and be presented “holy and without spot” to our Father in Heaven. I think this singular purpose of inviting all to come unto Christ and be sanctified in him is unique in a book authored by many different writers spanning almost 1000 years, from 600 BC to around 400 AD.

Chapter 9–For a wise purpose–God knows all things from the beginning.

In Lectures on Faith Joseph Smith lists the character and attributes of God. Joseph says that it is impossible to exercise faith in God unless we have a correct idea of his character and attributes. Over and over in the Book of Mormon these characteristics and attributes of our loving Heavenly Father are exemplified.

The following are characteristics of God. He is unchangeable, merciful and gracious, no respector of persons and a God of truth.

The following are attributes of God. He has all knowledge, all power, is perfectly just and fair in all judgment.

This is such a beautiful list! As I contemplate those characteristics and attributes I love my Father in Heaven even more, especially that he is merciful and gracious. How can one not love a Father such as this. This is a God we can go to with complete confidence that he will hear us and respond to us.

In 1 Nephi 9 Nephi gives examples of some of God’s attributes. He is commanded to make an additional set of plates to record the “more part of his ministry.” It is a more spiritual record. It is often referred to as the “small plates of Nephi.” The “large plates of Nephi” includes a more political record of their kings and wars. It was probably written about 30 years after his family left Jerusalem. They had arrived on the American continent and by that time there had been wars and contentions between Nephi and his brothers. Hence Nephi knew about them.

Nephi is commanded to make this additional record. Typical of Nephi he obeys the Lord without knowing the reason. He simply says it’s “for a wise purpose, which purpose I know not.” Then, as he stated when he was commanded to go back and get the Brass Plates, he knows that God prepares a way to accomplish all his works. In verse 6, he reiterates two of the attributes of God that Joseph mentioned. God knows all things from the beginning and God has all power to fulfill his words.

Almost a thousand years later, Mormon, the compiler of the Book of Mormon, finds this small record among the many plates that have been kept by the Nephites, and includes them in his final record. He uses language similar to Nephi’s, he states:

Words of Mormon 1:7 And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will.

It is not until Joseph Smith begins to translate the Book of Moron we learn the the reason why Nephi was commanded to make them. God knew of a mistake that would happen 2400 years later! After translating the beginning of the Book of Mormon from the large plates of Nephi, Joseph gave a copy of these first pages of the Book of Mormon to Martin Harris to show his wife. Some wicked men stole the manuscript from her to set Joseph up. Their intent was to alter the words so that when Joseph translated it again they could point out his errors and expose him as a fraud. God commanded Joseph not to retranslate the portion they had stolen, but to instead translate these small plates. This is amazing to me! God truly knows all things from the beginning and put things in motion to compensate for this mistake.

Personal application: The Book of Mormon is a precious book indeed! God truly knows all things from the beginning. He knows me and the mistakes that I have made. As I repent he can compensate for my mistakes. I remembered a talk that I heard in General Conference in October, 1993, almost 33 years ago, It’s amazing that I thought of it and found it. I’m includeing it this post “for a wise purpose I know not.”

“Every woman who has raised children worries about the mistakes she has made. I feel deep sorrow when I realize that I have hurt my children’s feelings, been impatient, or let opportunities to bless them slip by. But each of us may have hope in the atonement of Christ, not only that we may repent and be forgiven but that through his grace our children can be healed of the emotional wounds we may have inflicted and compensated for the errors we may have made. Christ has said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

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1 Nephi 5–The Brass Plates–a precious record

Posted on July 31, 2026 by bonniesimone

How does one measure the worth of an object? Perhaps one way might be the effort that one would extend to take care of it or the joy one might feel in receiving it. In 1 Nephi 5 we read of Lehi’s joy in receiving the Brass Plates. He finds them to be of “great worth.” What brought Lehi such great joy? Through the Brass Plates they could preserve the commandments of the Lord to their children. His thoughts were on his descendants. They had left the main body of the Jewish people and were on their own. They needed an anchor–their spiritual heritage.

Personal application: I, too, like Lehi want to leave my children a spiritual heritage, a love for the scriptures. What would my life be without the scriptures? They anchor me to Jesus Christ.

To me, reading about the contents of the Brass Plates is another testimony that Joseph Smith couldn’t have simply made up the story. He had about 2 years of formal schooling. His family read the Bible, but didn’t have the Bible study tools that we had. Did he know about the construction of the Bible? The Brass Plates contained the first 5 books of Moses plus a record of Jews own to the reign of Zedekiah. Jeremiah was a contemporary of Lehi. How would Joseph have known of a Biblical timeline. We later learn of other prophets mentioned in the Book of Mormon that are not included in the Bible, such as Zenock, Zenock and Neum. These prophets give a powerful testimony of Jesus Christ. We will meet them later and talk about them.

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Nephi 5–A joyous return

Posted on July 30, 2026 by bonniesimone

In chapter 5 we gain insights into the relationship between Lehi and Sariah. We don’t know how long Nephi and his brothers were gone when they went back for the Brass Plates. We know from 1 Nephi 2 that they traveled three days fleeing Jerusalem before they stopped to pitch their tent. We gather from the record that they had to leave Jerusalem in a hurry and traveled as fast as they could. Going back to Jerusalem may have happened at a slower pace. We also don’t know how long they were in Jerusalem before Nephi obtained the Brass Plates. However long it was, it was of such a length that Sariah was worried about their safety. I’ve been in that position–where I’ve worried about the safety of my children. Without any information about them you watch and wait, fear and worry mounting with each passing hour. It’s easy to let our imaginations run wild with scenarios of possible dangers. In Sariah’s case there were undoubtedly many dangers involved in her sons trip back to Jerusalem. They had fled Jerusalem with very lives in danger. What if her sons were recognized by those who sought to take the life of Lehi?

Sariah expressed her fears to Lehi blaming him for their present danger and accuses him of being a visionary man. Lehi’s response is an example to all of us of a humble Christlike response. He does not get angry back or try to justify himself. He takes full responsibility for his actions. He understands her concerns and comforts her. He admits that he is a visionary man. He has seen the things of God, and he reassures her that God will bring their sons back safely. After their joyous reunion they take the time to offer thanks. This act of offering thanks with burnt offerings wasn’t just a quick prayer. A burnt offering functioned specifically as a gift of highest value to express thanks, loyalty, and awe.

Personal application: How can I respond to criticism or negative events with humility and how can my thanks for my blessings be a gift of highest value. If my time is valuable then I can spend more time giving thanks for how good God is to me and my family.

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Nephi 4–Led by the Spirit, scriptures, covenants

Posted on July 29, 2026 by bonniesimone

After Nephi’s pep talk to his brothers in the first few verses of chapter 4, we come to the gripping story of Nephi being commanded to kill Laban. Much has been written about this incident to justify or to criticize it. There are many incidents in the Old Testament when the Israelites were commanded to kill their enemies. To the modern reader, me included, these can be hard to understand, but I know that “He (God) doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. “(2 Nephi 26:24) This is starting point for me in understanding all scripture.

Later in the 1 Nephi 17, Nephi explains that God does not destroy a people until they are “ripened in iniquity.”  “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God.And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth,” 1 Nephi 17:35, 37

If one accepts the sovereignty of God and his “goodness and long-suffering” towards the children of men, and I do, then I can accept that God commanded Nephi to kill Laban. The scripture says the Nephi is constrained by the Spirit. I looked up the word “constrained.” It means “forced, restricted, or unnatural. “It describes a person, action, or thing that is held back, limited by rules, or acting under pressure rather than freely. This is the first time I’ve looked up this word and I think it fits perfectly for this situation. Nephi is repulsed by the idea of killing a man. This is also a testimony for Nephi’s ability to hear the spirit. The idea of killing Laban didn’t originate in Nephi’s mind.

Personal application: When listening to the spirit, we will often be prompted to do something that we never would have thought of on our own. Sometimes it may not be what we want to do, but if we obey the reason will come later and we will be blessed for it.

Nephi then goes through his thought processes. He remembered the Lord’s admonition that if they kept the commandments of the Lord they would prosper in the land. He knew they couldn’t keep the commandments unless they had the scriptures. So often God has emphasized to his children the importance of the scriptures. The children of Israel were commanded to keep God’s word in their hearts. They were to teach them diligently to their children. They were to “bind them for a sign on their hands” and “frontlets between their eye” and to write them on their doorposts. Joshua was commanded to meditate on the law day and night. The Brass Plates contained the law and commanments. The value of the scriptures cannot be underestimated. The spiritual survival of Lehi’s family depended on having the scriptures so much so that it was “better that  that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief.” (1 Nephi 4:13)

Personal application: My spiritual survival is dependent on not only reading the scriptures, but feasting on them every day.

After obtaining the plates from Zoram, Laban’s servant, Zoram is persuaded to join Nephi. It’s interesting to note that even though Zoram originally viewed Nephi as an enemy, Zoram’s fear were allayed when Nephi offered him his freedom with an oath. An oath was inviolable in Old Testament times. Inviolable means something is sacred, unbreakable, or too important to be broken or harmed. Zoram knew that Nephi would honor his oath.

Personal application: An oath can be compared to making a covenant, I have made sacred covenants with my Heavenly Father. They are sacred, unbreakable and too important to be broken of harmed.

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Nephi 4–Nephi’s pep talk

Posted on July 27, 2026 by bonniesimone

Despite being chastised by an angel, Laman and Lemuel continue to doubt that they can obtain the Brass Plates. I call the next few verses Nephi’s pep talk. He says “let us be faithful in keeping the commandments,”let us go up,” in other words “we can do it, let’s go!” I can picture him as a coach at halftime when his team is discouraged! Nephi has no doubt that his task can be accomplished. To bolster their lagging faith he reminds them of past times that the Lord has performed miracles. I think that’s important for all of us when we feel our faith lag. We can remind ourselves of past spiritual experiences and the small miracles that have happened in our lives. We can imagine ourselves in the locker room with the Savior getting our pep talk for these last days. I can also imagine him quoting Jacob 5:71 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.

It’s too bad Laman and Lemuel didn’t want to suit up for the game.

Moroni, the compiler of the Book of Mormon, must have taken inspiration from Nephi when he encourages us in Mormon 9. He encourages to believe in Christ, doubting nothing. The Lord reminds us in D&C 6:36 to “Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not.” Nephi had obtained his own testimony and once he did he didn’t look back. He was “all in.”

There is so much more in chapter 4 that I’ll write about in the coming days. We’ll talk about Nephi’s thought processes before he was able to carry out the Lord’s command to kill Nephi and the importance of carrying scriptures with them.

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1 Nephi 2 and 3 insights–prayer, faith, being led by the Spirit

Posted on July 27, 2026 by bonniesimone

1 Nephi 2

I love the phrase “blessed art thou.”  What does the Lord value in his children?  The phrase “blessed art thou” lets us know.  Lehi is blessed because of his faithfulness.  Nephi is blessed because of his faith, his seeking the Lord diligently and his humility. How can I be more diligent and humble in seeking the Lord? What would that look like?

1 Nephi 2:1 For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him: Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.

1 Nephi 2:19 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart. (humility)

Nephi desired his own testimony.  Nephi cried unto the Lord and the Lord answered his prayer.  He softened his heart.  Maybe Nephi didn’t want to leave Jerusalem like his brothers, but God softened his heart so he could accept what his father wanted them to do.  What a great example to us all! 

1 Nephi 3:1
Nephi says that he returned to his father’s tent after “speaking with the Lord.”  He didn’t say he talked to the Lord.  His said speaking with the Lord.  That implies a 2 way communication.  

Personal application: I can seek the Lord more diligently with humility. I can listen more when I pray.


Nephi’s famous declaration “I will go and do the things which the Lord commands.”  The reason he willing to go and do is because he knows God will be with them.  He has faith that God will prepare the way therefore he can go forward.  That is so applicable in our lives.  God is at the helm.  The phrase “prepare the way” is mentioned several times in the scriptures.  John the Baptist was to prepare the way before the Savior’s ministry.  The implies that God has a purpose—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of his children.  He has a plan—the Plan of Salvation and He prepares the way and He knows the beginning and the end.  Those are the 3 P’s—purpose, plan, preparing the way.

1 Nephi 3 also gives us insight into Nephi’s leadership skills. He was determined to obey God’s commandment. He tried to persuade his brothers with reasons why it was important to accomplish their task. He knew why obtaining the Brass Plates was so important. He gives us insight into the importance of the scriptures–they contained the words of the prophets and they could preserve their language with the written word.

When the angel comes to stop Laman and Lemuel from beating Nephi and Sam, the angel doesn’t tell them how they are to obtain the plates, he simply tells them that the Lord will deliver Laban into their hands. Again, they are to have faith, but Laman and Lemuel can’t see how it will happen. That’s the way faith works. We can’t see the ending from the beginning.

Personal application–we may not know the how of solving our problems at the beginning, but we can faith that God knows the how and we can go forward in faith. That’s what Nephi did. He was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand what he should do. Maybe if he knew beforehand he wouldn’t have gone forth!

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