God Gives Us the Holy Ghost - Why?

In 3 Nephi 28:11, Jesus teaches: "And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and the Father giveth the Holy Ghost unto the children of men, because of me. "

The Spirit testifies of the Father so that we might know Him, our relationship to Him, and his love for us. That is one of the primary purposes of the Holy Ghost.

God gives the Holy Ghost to us because of Christ. The simple way to look at this is that we would have no real need for the Holy Ghost if not for Christ. If fallen man had no hope of redemption then why send him help? But we do have hope of redemption through Jesus Christ; and for this reason, God has given us the Holy Ghost to help us recognize Christ's teachings, believe in Him as our Savior, and follow Him on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life.

The Lord's Refined People

In 3 Nephi 24:3 (also Malachi 3:3) it reads:

"And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."

Let's seek to understand what this can mean for us. The refiner/purifier is obviously Jesus Christ. The sons of Levi (gold/silver) who are to be purified and refined represent the Church, or it can be interpreted further to mean Priesthood holders, or even further to mean holders of the Aaronic Priesthood or Levitical priesthood after Levi. Let's consider that sons of Levi refers to us to liken this scripture unto ourselves. Why are we to be purified/refined? That we may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. What is an "offering in righteousness?" I think this phrase is vague for a reason - it can mean different things for all of us in a very personal way. At the very least it must refer to righteous service. Righteous offerings could be temple service, service in our callings, service in our families, sharing the gospel and any other good deeds done towards our fellow-man.

The Prophet Spencer W Kimball once said that a "portion of the offering in righteousness" is our family history work and bringing temple blessings to those who have passed on (link to his talk). This is consistent with Malachi's message of "turning our hearts to our fathers."

So to paraphrase this verse: The Lord seeks to refine us so that we may better serve Him and others, especially those who have gone before us through temple work.

How does He refine us? I think there is a reason that silver and gold were chosen for this analogy. I did a quick search on Google and it looks like refining gold is a long, complicated process involving dangerous acids and hot temperatures (2,000 degrees Fahrenheit is the melting point of gold). Key take aways for me were that it's a long, difficult, painful process from the gold's perspective. I don't expect it's too different as the Lord refines us. It definitely doesn't happen overnight (probably closer to a lifetime), overcoming sin, temptations and trying to live a perfect life is not easy, and the repentance process when we stumble is painful but necessary. Our trials, the furnace of affliction, refines us because it forces us to be humble, turn to and trust in God, and increase our faith.

Let's remember the end goal again. The Lord wants us refined in order to selflessly serve. So with the end in mind, we have a good idea of what the product of this refinement is. I think of some of the men and women I have known who dedicate their entire lives to serving God through missionary work, church service and temple service. They are the end product. They are also the people I respect and look up to most on this earth. That is the goal. Do our actions bring us closer to that goal or take us further away from that goal?

Sometimes when I think of temple work and genealogy I think of elderly women or elderly couples taking care of these things for the rest of us. Maybe instead I should see temple work and genealogy as the desire of those who have been refined, which more commonly happens to be those who have lived of lifetime of being refined by the hand of the Lord.

If all of this refinement that we go through on this life (which is a lot!) is to help turn our hearts to our fathers (family history work) and live a life of service, then it must be very important! It must be key to the purpose of our existence on this earth.

We will also find joy in this righteous offering for how great is the joy we feel when bringing souls unto God (D&C 18:15-16).

3 Ne 22 - Isaiah Speaks to Parents

The words of Isaiah have always been difficult to me but as I studied them this morning a few things did stand out to me.

In 3 Nephi 22:4 "Fear not, for thou shalt not be ashamed; neither be thou confounded, for thou shalt not be put to shame;" made me think of the vision of the Tree of Life that Lehi saw. The first THREE out of four groups of people did not make it to the tree and/or did not endure to the end because of shame at being mocked by the great and spacious building, or the cares of the world.

And in 3 Ne 22:7-8 "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." This is a good lesson in the midst of our trials. We sometimes feel alone, which is really to give us opportunities to grow. But the promise is there - "with great mercies will I gather thee" and "with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee." Those promises are real, and they are the reason why we must turn to the Lord in times of crisis and need, even if we feel alone.

In 3 Ne 22:13-14 some incredible promises are given for us. Isaiah is speaking to the "afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted" - which could be any one of us who is trying to be in the world but not of the world. He basically says it won't be easy but it will be worth it as he explains the result: "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established..." What greater blessing could we ask for than this?

Then to give us further confidence against the adversary and his forces, we are promised in verses 15-17: "whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake...no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper;...This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."Make sure you are on the Lord's side!

3 Nephi 21:10

In 3 Nephi 21:10, the Savior appears to be talking about the Prophet Joseph Smith. I think it is interesting that Joseph would be "marred" because of the wicked people, but the Lord then follows that up with "Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil." Similar to each of us, the Prophet Joseph had times where he was humbled and had to repent and rely on the healing power of the atonement. None of us are perfect, and sometimes our stumbles turn out to be a blessing in our lives and in the lives of others because they allow us to more fully see God's hand in our lives. In this case with Joseph, the Lord was able to show his superior wisdom because although Joseph had lost the manuscript, the Lord had prepared for this incident by commanding Nephi to write the same important things upon the plates that his father had written. So a terrible mistake turned out to be a growth opportunity for the Prophet, who I'm sure needed it to prepare for his future experiences, a testimony builder for the Church, and a witness to those who oppose it that they cannot hinder God's work.

What Lehi Taught about Agency

What is agency?
Agency is the freedom to choose that God has given to each of us (2 Nephi 2:16). Agency is the reason why there is opposition in all aspects of life. Does it make sense to give someone the ability to choose without them having options?

This is important. God gave us agency so that we are not forced to do anything. He did not force Adam and Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit and die, but He did give them the opportunity to do so if they chose. Mortality was the consequence of this choice because it was a choice to follow this plan - the plan of salvation - in the first place. In the pre-existence, God did not force us to come to earth, and once on earth, he will not force us to return to him. It's all about choices.

How does it affect me?
Remember that "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). Adam's choice made it possible for us to be here, as was previously discussed. We are here to make choices and we are here to have joy. Logically, that means we are here to make the choices that will bring us joy, right? That's where we come in.

Lehi taught:

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. (2 Nephi 2:27)

Let's break this down. Men are free - we know that and discussed that already. All things are given us which are expedient - to me this is the light of Christ (or our conscience) that we all have. We know right from wrong, all of us, so we are able to make choices with accountability. We are free to choose liberty and eternal life or captivity and death - these are really our only two choices. Everything we do brings us towards one or the other, though we don't usually look at our choices this way.

The liberty and eternal life is through the great Mediator of all men - Jesus Christ atoned for us and "bought us with a price" so that he can plead for us before the Father as our mediator. He paid the consequences of our sin so that we will not have to - if we choose Him. Choosing Christ will lead us to liberty as we will not be captive to sin and is the path to eternal life.

Captivity and death are according to the captivity and power of the devil. These are exact opposites of what Christ offers us. Instead of the liberty of righteous living, we are free to choose the spiritual bondage of sin, which limits our choices. If we choose this path of sin, we will have to pay for the consequences of the sin - spiritual death. No unclean thing can dwell with God, so choosing sin and death puts us outside of his presence eternally. Interesting that he uses the word "power" because Satan has REAL power over us when we sin. Sin is how we give him this power. Living righteously prevents him from having any power over us.

He seeketh that we might be miserable like he is - Satan is miserable. How could he not be? He had the potential to be like God (as any son has the potential to be like his father), but he chose to pridefully reject God's plan and rebel. His consequence was to eternally be out of God's presence and to forfeit the eternal inheritance that could have been his. This would make anyone miserable. He can't get back at God but in one way, bringing us down with him. God loves each and every one of us with a love we cannot fathom. How much it must pain God to lose one of his precious sons or daughters!! Satan's only retribution is to bring us down into the misery, captivity and death in which he is fully engulfed.

He will try everything to trip us up. And he succeeds much too often in each of our lives because we are human, frail in our mortal state; however, there is always a way to escape. It is not too late to choose to follow Jesus Christ and to choose liberty and eternal life. The choice is yours. You know the consequences both temporal and eternal. Choose the right!

Planting Seeds - Samuel the Lamanite

As I read this passage in Helaman 16:1-3 I had a few thoughts that I would like to share.

Helaman 16:1-3

1 And now, it came to pass that there were many who heard the words of Samuel, the Lamanite, which he spake upon the walls of the city. And as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi; and when they had come forth and found him they confessed unto him their sins and denied not, desiring that they might be baptized unto the Lord.
 2 But as many as there were who did not believe in the words of Samuel were angry with him; and they cast stones at him upon the wall, and also many shot arrows at him as he stood upon the wall; but the Spirit of the Lord was with him, insomuch that they could not hit him with their stones neither with their arrows.
 3 Now when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words, insomuch that they went away unto Nephi to be baptized.

A few thoughts:
(1) Samuel boldly testified to the people. In this case he was preaching from the city wall.

(2) In the previous chapter he had already been rejected by the people, yet he followed the Spirit's direction to try one more time.

(3) Samuel planted seeds, both while in the city and while on the city wall; however, he never experienced the harvest and saw the fruits of his labor. I'm pretty sure he knew this going into it, and it did not deter him one bit. He may have felt like a total failure if all he saw were angry people throwing stones and shooting arrows at him. As Preach My Gospel explains, success is determined by following the Spirit and working diligently and obediently, not by the number of baptisms you have.

(4) Nephi enjoyed the fruit of Samuel's labor for "as many as believed on his word went forth and sought for Nephi." How grateful he must have felt for Samuel and his preaching. In the previous chapters, we read how Nephi had put his own safety at risk to preach unto the people, doing everything in his power to convince them to repent.

(5) Samuel trusted the Lord enough to stay on that wall while stones and arrows were coming at him. This is important because "when they saw that they could not hit him, there were many more who did believe on his words." We may not always understand why trials are coming at us, but we can trust the Lord that we'll make it through safely - plus we don't always know who is watching.

(6) We can see the great love that God has for his children in these verses. He sent one of his beloved "noble and great" sons into a dangerously wicked city in an attempt to save any of his children. After Samuel was rejected in the city, God did not give up on his children and sent Samuel again unto them (this time on the city wall). Even while the people threatened Samuel's life, God instructed him (by the Spirit) to stay on that wall until as many as possible of his children in that city had the opportunity to believe and repent if he or she so chose.

I only focused this entry on the first three verses of the chapter, but there are so many additional nuggets of truth that we can learn from Samuel and his example. For example, when he returned home from "his mission" among the Nephites, what do you think he did? In verse 7: he "began to preach and to prophesy among his own people." A great example for every RM.

The Priesthood

In my last post (here), I studied the restoration of the Priesthood, so now I would like to dive into the Priesthood itself in more detail. The Priesthood is the power of God delegated to man to act in His name.

Why is the Priesthood important?
The Priesthood is important because it is the authority required to perform saving ordinances that are required for exaltation, such as baptism. We know ordinances such as baptism are required for salvation because Jesus taught that we must be baptized to enter into the kingdom of God (see John 3:3-5). Remember, Jesus did not just go to anyone to be baptized, he sought out John because he had the Priesthood authority to baptize. Even Jesus had to be baptized because it is a commandment for all of us (see 2 Nephi 31:5), and so he needed to be baptized by the proper priesthood authority.

How is this Priesthood authority obtained?
While many people think that studying theology is enough to claim devine authority, the Bible teaches the exact opposite. In Hebrews 5:4 we read, "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." Ok, so we have to be called of God the way Aaron was; we don't take it upon ourselves, so how was Aaron called? We can read about how Aaron was called of God in the Old Testament:

Called of God, as was Aaron
Aaron was called to receive the Priesthood through one of God's servants who also had the Priesthood, in this case Moses, the prophet at that time. God said to Moses in Exodus 28:1: "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons." The event is also recorded in Exodus 30:30 where the Lord tells Moses, "And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office."

How is the Priesthood given/received?
The Priesthood is given and received by the laying on of hands by someone who has the Priesthood authority. There are many examples of this throughout the scriptures and I will share a three here:

(1) Moses gave Joshua the priesthood by the laying on of hands in Numbers 27:18, "And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him" - feel free to click the link and read the full context if you are unfamiliar with the story.

(2) When the Apostles met together to call new Apostles and give them authority, they also laid their hands upon them:

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. (see Acts 6:6)

(3) Paul reminds Timothy of how he was given the Priesthood ordination by the laying on of hands in 1 Timothy 4:14, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery."

Recap: How do we get the priesthood?
We must (1) be called of God by one of his chosen servants and (2) receive the Priesthood from someone else who has the Priesthood, by the laying on of hands.

Painting depicting how the priesthood was conferred by Christ as recorded in the New Testament:

Restoration of the Priesthood

Why was a restoration necessary? 

In the words of Elder Nelson of the 12 Apostles: "Not long thereafter, the Savior was crucified. Even before the early Apostles completed their labors, the Apostasy began. It occurred, as prophesied, when teachings of men with priesthood keys were rejected and sacred ordinances were defiled."

The scriptures - especially the New Testament - are full of prophesies and evidence of a great apostasy, which occurred following the death of Jesus Christ and while his Apostles were being killed by non-believers. See Apostasy in The Guide to the Scriptures for specific references. When this apostasy occurred, priesthood authority was taken from the earth.

This priesthood authority cannot be obtained by studying the scriptures or by any means other than receiving it from someone who also has the Priesthood. The Bible teaches this in Hebrews 5:4 when Paul explains the Priesthood must be obtained the same way Aaron obtained it (which was from Moses by the laying on of hands). So with the priesthood authority being taken from the earth as a result of apostasy, ordinances such as baptism could no longer be performed by the necessary authority. A restoration was necessary.

When was the Priesthood restored?
The Aaronic priesthood was restored by John the Baptist - who had baptized Jesus Christ with this authority - to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on May 15, 1829 (see D&C 13).


How was the Priesthood restored? 
As mentioned above John the Baptist was sent to Joseph and Oliver in answer to their prayer concerning the Priesthood authority and baptism. John restored the Priesthood to them by the laying on of hands, similar to how Aaron received the Priesthood from Moses in the Old Testament.

Later the Melchizedek Priesthood was similarly restored to Joseph and Oliver by the hands of Peter, James and John, who were Apostles of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.


What does this mean for me and my family?
Because the Priesthood has been restored in this dispensation, I have been blessed with the opportunity to bear and exercise this power. This allows me to serve others, especially my family, through the administration of blessings as well as sacred ordinances. The restoration of the Priesthood was also accompanied - though at a later date - by the restoration of the sealing keys. This has allowed me to be sealed to my wonderful wife and baby girl as an eternal family, sealed in heaven as it is on earth, through the same power that Jesus bestowed upon Peter in Matthew 16:18-19. The ordinances of salvation are again available to all, including me and my family because the proper authority (the Priesthood) has been restored to the earth!

President Monson - As We Gather Once Again

April 2012 General Conference Saturday Morning (link to the talks)


President Monson - As We Gather Once Again 
The purpose of General Conference is to "strengthen one another, to extend encouragement, to provide comfort, to build faith. We are here to learn." We can all "be enlightened and uplifted and comforted as the Spirit of the Lord is felt." General Conference brings the Spirit more fully into our lives and helps us make necessary changes by inspiring us with greater incentive and courage. It helps us live worthily and "oppose evil wherever it is found."  

Prayer and Scripture Study

Some great scriptures on prayer and scripture study (from DTG pg38):
James 1:5-6 - James taught that if we have a question for God and ask in faith he will give us the wisdom we seek.
Alma 34:17-28 - Amulek teaches us that we should call upon God to be merciful with us. We should pray over anything and everything and whenever we can.
3 Nephi 18:15-21 - Jesus taught the Nephites to pray always in order to overcome the temptations of the devil. Also to pray for our families that they might be blessed. Anything we ask, believing, will be given to us.
Moroni 10:3-5 - Moroni's promise is: read the scriptures, ponder them, and then pray in faith to receive a manifestation by the Holy Ghost that they are true.
Helaman 3:29-30 - Mormon adds his observation and testimony as he abridges the records that if we "lay hold" of the word of God (scriptures), we will be able to overcome the adversary.
D&C 18:33-36 - The Lord explains that when you read the scriptures, it is His voice you're hearing as if he is speaking directly to you.
D&C 84:85 - The Lord promises that if you study the scriptures (treasure it up in your hearts), He will provide you with the words you need at the time you need them as you teach and bare testimony.

Teachings of Lehi

Visions & Dreams

• Lehi had a vision in which he saw God surrounded by angels, Jesus Christ descend from heaven, 12 apostles following Jesus, and learned that Jerusalem would be destroyed (1 Nephi 1:8-13).
• When Lehi received visions and revelations, his "whole heart was filled", his "soul did rejoice", and he praised God (1 Nephi 1:15). Do we take for granted the personal revelation we receive or do we rejoice and praise God with gratitude? Then in verse 18 Lehi goes and preaches what he learned in his vision.
• The Lord spoke to him in a dream, "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." And the Lord commanded him to leave Jerusalem with his family (1 Nephi 2:1-2).
• Lehi was told in a dream to send his sons back to Jerusalem for the brass plates (and of course he obeyed!) (1 Nephi 3:2-4).
• Lehi received another revelation of the Lord commanding him to send his sons back to Jerusalem a second time, this time to find another family with daughters. (1 Nephi 6:1-2)
• Lehi tells his family he has "dreamed a dream; or, in other words" "seen a vision". (1 Nephi 8:3)
• The voice of the Lord commanded Lehi where to travel in the wilderness and then provided him with the Liahona (1 Nephi 16:9-10).
• Lehi: "For, behold, said he, I have seen a vision, in which I know that Jerusalem is destroyed; and had we remained in Jerusalem we should also have perished." (2 Nephi 1:4)

Prophesying of Future Events

• After studying the brass plates, Lehi "was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed." He prophesied that the plates (or the record they contain) would "go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed" and that the plates would "never perish" or be "dimmed by time." (1 Nephi 5:17-19)
• Lehi prophesied that after the destruction of Jerusalem, many surviving Jews would be carried away captive and would one day return to rebuild their city (1 Nephi 10:2-3).
• He prophesied that 600 years later the Messiah, Savior, Reedemer of the World, of whom the prophets had testified, would come to redeem his people. He also prophesied of John the Baptist who would prepare the way and baptize the Savior (1 Nephi 10:4-10).
• Lehi prophesied of the scattering of Israel and that his family would help fulfill that prophesy in the "land of promise". He prophesied of the gathering of Israel by the gentiles accepting the gospel and then the Jews (1 Nephi 10:12-14).
• When Lehi teaches about the Land of Promise that they have inherited, he prophesies that the Lord has covenanted this land unto all those who would be led thereto in the future. He prophesies that none will come unto this land except they be led by the hand of the Lord. If they should serve God in the land, it will remain a land of liberty, but iniquity will inevitably lead to captivity (2 Nephi 1:5-7).
• Lehi prophesies that the land will be kept from other nations for a while. If the people in the land "shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land; and they shall be kept from all other nations, that they may possess this land unto themselves. And if it so be that they shall keep his commandments they shall be blessed upon the face of this land, and there shall be none to molest them, nor to take away the land of their inheritance; and they shall dwell safely forever"(2 Nephi 1:8-9).
• Lehi prophesies that when the day comes that the people of the land (his posterity) shall reject the Messiah, "the judgments of him that is just shall rest upon them."He prophesies that other nations will come to the land and scatter and kill the people (2 Nephi 1:10-12).

God's Mercy

• Lehi proclaimed that God's mercy is over all the inhabitants of the earth, and because of that mercy, God will not suffer those who come unto him to perish (1 Nephi 1:14).
• Lehi taught his sons about the mercy of God and pointed out that God was merciful to have spared their lives while crossing the sea and merciful to bring them out of Jerusalem before it was destroyed (2 Nephi 1:1-3).

Things I learn from Lehi

• Lehi truly acted when the Lord commanded regardless of how difficult the assignment might be. When he had his vision, he immediately "went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard" (1 Nephi 1:18). He knew that he would be rejected and his life endangered, but he trusted in the Lord and went and obeyed. I think this example had a profound impact on Nephi as a boy and helped Nephi develop a "Go and do" attitude.
• Even Lehi's wife questioned his visions and revelations from the Lord when things did not appear to be going well for their family. I imagine this was a low of lows for them and that having his wife murmur and complain against him was a terribly tough trial. Instead of getting defensive and angry with her, he comforted her by bearing his testimony about the goodness of God and how blessed they truly were. He expressed his faith that the Lord would protect their sons. (1 Nephi 5:2-6)
• Lehi recognizes that God is just and that wickedness will always be punished. (2 Nephi 1:22)
• I like Lehi's description of his relationship with the Savior: " I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 1:15). 

Testified of Christ and his Atonement

• Lehi testified that he saw Jesus in vision descending from heaven (1 Nephi 1:9). 
• Lehi "manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world" (1 Nephi 1:19).
• He prophesied that 600 years later the Messiah, Savior, Reedemer of the World, of whom the prophets had testified, would come "to take away the sins of the world". He also prophesied of John the Baptist who would prepare the way and baptize the Savior. Also that the Savior would be baptized in a river by water. He taught that Jesus would be slain and then resurrect (1 Nephi 10:4-11).
• Lehi tells his son Jacob: "I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fulness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men." (2 Nephi 2:3). He testifies that the Savior will come and of his power to save.
• Lehi tells Jacob that he is just as blessed to have beheld Christ's glory by the Spirit as those who will see the Savior in the flesh (2 Nephi 2:4). The same Spirit bears witness to us of the divinity of Christ as bore witness to those who physically met Him. 
• Lehi says, "Salvation is Free" (2 Nephi 2:4). This does not mean that we do not have to do anything- because we know we do- but it means Christ freely offers his atonement, grace, and mercy to us. The offer is on the table already and freely available to us; we just need to do our part to accept that sacrifice.

Obedience

• Lehi showed that he was obedient to the Lord even when it was a difficult task that the Lord commanded him. Such as preaching to those who try to kill him (1 Nephi 2:1), leaving his home and possessions behind to go into the wilderness with his family (1 Nephi 2:2-3), and sending his sons on a dangerous mission in which they are nearly killed (1 Nephi 3:4).
• Obeying without murmuring helps us be favored of the Lord (1 Nephi 3:6).
• After returning with his brothers from Jerusalem with the plates, Nephi said of himself and his father: "thus far I and my father had kept the commandments wherewith the Lord had commanded us."(1 Nephi 5:20) Later on after the family of Ishmael joins them, Nephi again says of his father: "And thus my father had fulfilled all the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him."(1 Nephi 16:8).

Gratitude

• After Lehi and his family traveled three days in the wilderness, Lehi "built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God" (1 Nephi 2:7).
• When Lehi's sons returned safely with the plates from Jerusalem, they rejoiced and "did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto the Lord; and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel." Further evidencing his gratitude, Lehi immediately immersed himself in the brass plates. (1 Nephi 5:9-10).
• When Lehi's sons returned from getting Ishmael's family, again they expressed gratitude unto the Lord: "they did give thanks unto the Lord their God; and they did offer sacrifice and burnt offerings unto him." (1 Nephi 6:22)

Powerful, Mighty Testimony

• Lehi "did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them" (1 Nephi 2:14).

The Plan of Salvation

• Lehi testified about the fall and need for the atonement: "all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer" (1 Nephi 9:6).

Teaching / Exhorting his Children (and Posterity)

• He tells his sons: "O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound...Awake! and arise from the dust, and hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave...But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love. And I desire that ye should remember to observe the statutes and the judgments of the Lord; behold, this hath been the anxiety of my soul from the beginning" (2 Nephi 1:13-16).
• This point was very important to Lehi to get across to his children and posterity: "And he hath said that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence." (2 Nephi 1:20)
• You can hear the pleading in his voice: "that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;" (2 Nephi 1:21).
• Lehi tells his sons to "put on the armor of righteousness", "shake off the chains" that bind them, "come forth out of obscurity", and "arise from the dust."He tells them to stop rebelling against Nephi, who has been righteous and an "instrument in the hands of God." (2 Nephi 1:23-24)
• Even though his sons may not of liked hearing this, Lehi gave them this wise counsel: "And now my son, Laman, and also Lemuel and Sam, and also my sons who are the sons of Ishmael, behold, if ye will hearken unto the voice of Nephi ye shall not perish. And if ye will hearken unto him I leave unto you a blessing, yea, even my first blessing But if ye will not hearken unto him I take away my first blessing, yea, even my blessing, and it shall rest upon him." (2 Nephi 1:28-29)

Afflictions

• Lehi talks to his son, Jacob, and promises: "thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."(2 Nephi 2:2) This can be applied to us as well. Knowing the greatness of God appears to be a prerequisite, likely because that leads to faith in Him and hope for the future. God is able to turn any negative into a positive, even when it comes to difficulties in our lives.
• Lehi taught that there must be "opposition in all things." Righteousness could not exist without a contrasting wickedness. Or what is good if there is no bad? (2 Nephi 2:11-13)

Benefits and Blessings of Scripture Study - the reason why we're told to study the scriptures daily

I recently (yesterday) spoke in Church about feasting on the word and its benefits. I wanted to share some of the notes I took (mostly quotes) about scripture study as I prepared for the talk- much of what I shared was from these quotes. I don't have links and references in all of these, but you can search on Google or LDS.org and find any of these talks- leave me a comment if there is one you can't find and I'll send you a link.

Scripture study brings us closer to God by increasing our faith, testimony, and spirituality.

-Elder Eyring: “The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and we learn about Him in its pages. We know that it has great power. It has the power to change lives. It has the power to convert. If you read it with an open heart, you will know that it is the word of God and that it is true...Another reason to study it regularly, for me at least, is that I can pick up the Book of Mormon, open to any page, read, and the Holy Ghost bears personal witness to me that it is the word of God. I know the Lord is speaking. I know the Book of Mormon is what it claims to be.”

-Elder Bednar: “Studying and feasting suggest a focus and an intensity that reach far beyond casual reading or quick perusing. Studying and feasting, followed by sincere prayer and steadfast application of the truths and principles we learn, yield personal resolve, spiritual commitment, and the bright light of testimony. Studying, learning, praying, and appropriately applying gospel truths are all key elements in the process of coming unto the Savior.”

-President Harold B. Lee: “If we’re not reading the scriptures daily, our testimonies are growing thinner, our spirituality isn’t increasing in depth.”

-President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns”

-Elder Bateman of 12: There are certain blessings obtained when one searches the scriptures. As a person studies the words of the Lord and obeys them, he or she draws closer to the Savior and obtains a greater desire to live a righteous life. The power to resist temptation increases, and spiritual weaknesses are overcome. Spiritual wounds are healed.

Scripture study helps us overcome temptation

-Nephi answered his brothers’ questions about the tree of life in 1 Ne 15:24 “And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.”

(explains how) -Elder Eyring: “The Holy Ghost confirms to us the word of God when we read it. That confirmation, repeated often, strengthens our faith. And it is by faith that we overcome obstacles and resist temptation.”

Scripture study helps us receive personal revelation and guidance from the Lord

-(two major ways the Lord guides us) Elder Kendrick of 70: “Our Heavenly Father continues to communicate with us through revelation. These revelations are communications of divine directions. They may come to us personally or through the voice of the Lord’s chosen servants...Those revelations received by prophets are given to us in the form of scripture or by the voice of the living prophets. Thus the scriptures become a road map, a set of divine directions to assist us on our journey through mortality and our return trip home.

-Elder Hales: “For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit...If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures. They are our spiritual lifeline.”

-Sister Cheryl Lant (Gen Primary President): “I find that if I pray not only to have a witness of the truthfulness of the scriptures but also to have the Spirit with me as I read, my sensitivity is heightened, and I see ever so much more clearly. I can see where I am in my life and where my Heavenly Father wants me to be. I can understand principles of truth, and I can see how to make the needed changes in my life. I can feel assured that the Lord will help and strengthen me to accomplish the task.”

-President Benson, in the April 1986 general conference, expressed these thoughts: “However diligent we may be in other areas, certain blessings are to be found only in the scriptures, only in coming to the word of the Lord and holding fast to it as we make our way through the mists of darkness to the tree of life.”

-Remember President Hinckley’s promises that he made to the members who committed to read the Book of Mormon: “an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”

-When Elder Eyring was asked how studying the scriptures had benefited him personally, he responded: “The scriptures were one of the ways God spoke to me—even when I was a child—about my needs, my situation, and my life. They still are. Since our needs change over a lifetime, God has different things to tell us at different times. Sometimes I go to the scriptures for doctrine. Sometimes I go to the scriptures for instruction. I go with a question, and the question usually is “What would God have me do?” or “What would He have me feel?” Invariably I find new ideas, thoughts I have never had before, and I receive inspiration and instruction and answers to my questions.“

-Eyring: “Going to the scriptures to learn what to do makes all the difference. The Lord can teach us. When we come to a crisis in our life, such as losing a child or spouse, we should go looking in the scriptures for specific help. We will find answers in the scriptures. The Lord seemed to anticipate all of our problems and all of our needs, and He put help in the scriptures for us—if only we seek it.”

Scripture study teaches us to recognize the Lord’s voice

-David McConkie (sunday school presidency) in a conference address last year taught: “The Lord has commanded us to search the scriptures, to feast upon them, and to treasure them up. As we earnestly search and ponder the word of the Lord, we will have His Spirit with us. We will become acquainted with His voice.
Soon after I was called to be a stake president, our stake presidency received training from an Area Seventy. During the training, I asked a question to which he responded, “That is a good question. Let’s turn to the Church Handbook of Instructions for the answer.” We then went to the handbook, and there was the answer to my question. A little later in our training, I asked another question. Once again he responded, “Good question. Let’s turn to the handbook.” I did not venture to ask any more questions. I thought it best to read the handbook.
I have thought since that the Lord could give a similar response to each of us as we go to Him with concerns or questions. He could say, “That’s a good question. If you will review Alma chapter 5 or Doctrine and Covenants section 76, you’ll remember that I have already spoken to you about this.”
Brothers and sisters, it is contrary to the economy of heaven for the Lord to repeat to each of us individually what He has already revealed to us collectively. The scriptures contain the words of Christ. They are the voice of the Lord. Studying the scriptures trains us to hear the Lord’s voice.”

-The Lord himself taught that the scriptures are his voice (D&C 18:34–36.): “These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; …“For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit … , and by my power you can read them one to another. …“Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.”

Why Study the Scriptures?

Feasting Upon Sweet Scriptures
In contemplating the phrase "feast upon the words of Christ" it's easy to wonder how one really feasts upon the scriptures. Anyone can read the scriptures. With a little bit of additional effort it isn't too hard to study the scriptures. But what does it take to feast upon the scriptures? Anyone who reads the scriptures much knows that they taste good. What I mean by that is that you feel the truth of what you're reading and it makes you feel good. But to feast on the scriptures, they'd have to be delicious to you and Alma teaches us how they can:

"Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." (Alma 32:28)

Alma compares the word of God (the scriptures) unto a seed. If you bring the word into your heart and believe the word, it will continue to enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and finally begin to be delicious to you. This is a process that takes time - it doesn't happen overnight. 
The Psalmist said it another way, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalms 119:103). If we're to feast upon the word, I think it's safe to say the scriptures need to be sweet honey to our taste.


A Reservoir of Living Water
Read this masterful discourse given by Elder Bednar: A Reservoir of Living Water.


Consider how important water is to sustaining physical life. The Savior referred to his word as the "living water." Elder Bednar: "And as water is necessary to sustain physical life, so the Savior and His doctrines, principles, and ordinances are essential for eternal life. You and I need His living water daily and in ample supply to sustain our ongoing spiritual growth and development." 
I like the analogy that the scriptures are a reservoir of living water. We know that the Savior is the fountain of living water, so it makes sense to consider the scriptures a reservoir where His word is stored and readily accessible for our consumption. 

The Book of Mormon Helps us Grow Closer to God

Regarding the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Joseph Smith said that “a man would get
nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (introduction to the
Book of Mormon). The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. By reading this book, we get to know Christ and gain a greater appreciation for his atoning sacrifice for us. We also learn how we can follow him, become more like him, and gain eternal glory with him. As you study the words of the Book of Mormon, you will receive personal revelation, inspiration that will bless your life. As you pray to know of the book's truthfulness, the Holy Ghost will touch your heart and testify to you that it is true.
The prophet of my youth, President Gordon B. Hinckley declared: 

“Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. . . . Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts . . . the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (“The Power of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, June 1988, 6).

President Hinckley also said in the same discourse:

"While the Book of Mormon speaks with power about the issues that affect our modern society, the great and stirring burden of its message is a testimony, vibrant and true, that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah. The book bears witness of him who walked the dusty roads of Palestine healing the sick and teaching the doctrines of salvation; who died upon the cross of Calvary; who on the third day came forth from the tomb, appearing to many; and who, as a resurrected being, visited the people of the Western Hemisphere, concerning whom he earlier had said: “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16.)"