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The Faith of Nephi

What is the first principle of the Gospel? Well, it’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So, why is that first? – well, because all righteousness begins with faith, and without faith no man can be saved. Hence it is no accident that the Book of Mormon virtually opens up with a powerful story of faith and the lack of it.

At the command of the Almighty, Father Lehi took his family, left Jerusalem in search of a new promised land. After several days journey, they camped in a place they called the Valley of Lemuel. Lehi then approached his oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel, and asked them to return to Jerusalem and get the ‘plates of brass’ that belonged to Laban. Why? – because those plates were scripture to Lehi. The older boys murmured that ‘this was too hard.’

Lesson #1: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ means we don’t murmur, we don’t whine when the Lord asks us to do something.

Well, Lehi then asked his younger son Nephi to make the same journey. Nephi’s response: “… I will go and do the things which the Lord commands …” (1 Nephi 3:7)

Lesson #2: Faith is obedient, especially when it’s hard.

Well, the boys made the journey to Jerusalem, and Laman went in to ask Laban for those Plates. Laban became angry and threatening, forcing Laman to run for his life. Now, once back with his brothers, Laman determined he was going home; he had tried – it didn’t work; ‘he was through here.’

Lesson #3: Faith is not faint-hearted. It expects opposition and does not give up easily.

Nephi persuaded his brothers to try again. They collected the gold and silver their father had left behind and took it to Laban to barter for the plates. Laban saw their wealth and he wanted it. He threw the boys out and sent his servants to kill them. They ran for their lives and hid in a cave. Laman and Lemuel were furious, and began to beat Nephi and Sam! – when an angel came and stopped the family fight. “… Behold,” he said, “ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hand.” (1 Nephi 3:29)

Now, notice here, the angel didn’t say how that was going to happen, he just said ‘go!’ Notwithstanding they had just seen an angel, Laman and Lemuel began to murmur again. “… How is it possible,” they said, “that the Lord will deliver Laban in our hands? Behold he is a mighty man …” (1 Nephi 3:31)

“… let us go up;” Nephi said, “let us be strong like unto Moses…” (1 Nephi 4:2) That was Nephi.

Lesson #4: Angels and visions do not create faith. They may only reinforce it when it is there. Faith comes quietly by constantly obeying that still small voice within.

It was dark. The boys crept back toward the city. Leaving his brothers well hidden, Nephi went into the city, “… not knowing beforehand,” he said, “the things which I should do.” (1 Nephi 4:6)

Lesson #5: Faith is courageous. It often walks forward into the darkness not knowing for sure the future, and how things will turn out.

Nephi came upon Laban passed out drunk in the street. As he knelt beside him, the Spirit forcefully commanded Nephi to kill Laban. Nephi recoiled at the thought; he couldn’t do that! Nonetheless, the Spirit reasoned with him and commanded again.

Lesson #6: Faith will always be tested. It grows by stretching, and stretching often hurts.

Nephi obeyed and slew Laban. He was faithful and obtained those plates, and by so doing, millions of his posterity were saved because of them. Laman and Lemuel, on the other hand – they had no faith. They refused to allow it to grow in their hearts, and they and millions of their children were damned because of it.

My friends, faith is not a trivial matter. The choices we make now may seem small, but they will determine eternity and affect oh – so many people!