1 Nephi 2-10 (Jason)

At this point in my life, reading these chapters in 1 Nephi gives me a new and clear perspective on being a righteous husband and father and leading my household. I am thankful father Lehi had the faith and obedience to leave Jerusalem, take his family into the wilderness, and lead his camp to the promised land. I can picture Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem and looking over their shoulders as they walk into the wilderness to say goodbye to all they knew-- home. It must have been difficult for Lehi to know what would shortly happen to Jerusalem and all who lived there.

Reading Lehi's vision as a parent has changed my previous perspective on the vision. Before I would liken the vision to myself (partaking of the fruit, staying on the straight and narrow path, etc.). Lehi's desire for Laman and Lemuel to partake of the fruit, but their unwillingness to do so, is very disturbing to any parent likening this vision to his own life and the life of his family. Now that I have Josiah and Alro, my biggest fears revolve around the choices they will make in life. I hope and pray they will choose to stay on the straight and narrow, that they will choose to partake of the fruit. I hope they will be obedient and diligent. I hope as our family grows and as our children grow older that we will all grow closer through obedience, faith, and love.

1 Nephi 4 (Dana)

There are 2 major lessons that I need to learn from this chapter.

1. NO ONE IS MIGHTIER THAN THE LORD.  So as I apply this to my life, I should take verse 1 & fill in the blank: "for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than ______." So long as we are keeping the commandments & choosing the right, we have NOTHING to fear. HOWEVER, if we are making poor decisions, we have HIM to fear & we ought to be worried.

2. FOLLOW THE SPIRIT & DO NOT DOUBT. verse 6 is so wonderful!!! "I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." Life is always changing, no matter how carefully we plan it all. We must keep our faith & follow the spirit. The spirit will NOT lead us astray. We may never know why certain things happen, just do not doubt.