1 Nephi 1:1 -- Being Highly Favored in the Midst of Affliction

Nephi was a pretty good guy. He learned it from his parents. Just because he was righteous doesn't mean life was easy for him. "having seen many afflictions" makes me think about all of the things he gave up to go to the promised land and all the struggles that he and his family had. Righteousness doesn't equate to a trial-free life. Nephi's attitude shines through when he says "nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days" Never the less... He counted himself favored of the Lord when his brothers beat him and left him to die (1 Ne 7:16). He counted himself favored of the Lord when his whole family was starving in the middle of the wilderness (1 Ne 16:19-21). He counted himself favored of the Lord when they had to "wade through much affliction in the wilderness" and he still said "great were the blessings of the Lord upon us" (1 Ne 17:1-2). How many times do I have a hard time with something and think of how blessed and favored I am? Still in verse 1 Nephi tells us the secret of his success, "having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God." If we know of the goodness of God, we trust him with our lives and the things we encounter in our lives. Nephi said he had knowledge of the mysteries, not that he knows the answers to all the mysteries. When life is hard, or when you questions some aspect of the gospel, just know the goodness of God. The mysteries may one day be revealed to you, but just know that now it's a mystery and trust the goodness of God. The last phrase is an example for us to follow: "I make a record of my proceedings in my days." We should keep a record of our days. I don't think Nephi wrote this for himself as much as writing it for future generations. Write in a journal, in a way that can preserve it for future posterity. As you read the writings of Nephi you will find that it all teaches. Sometimes it's a story that can be applied to life. Other times it is gospel principles from a sermon. Those are the kinds of things that are going to be valuable to your posterity. The days activities are OK too, but make sure you keep a record that can teach. That's part of the reason I am doing this blog. I wonder a little about preservation of my record. Nephi engraved in metal plates that stood the test of time. It made writing much more difficult, but it was worth it. Make sure that your writings are preserved.