BRENT'S DIARY 76-A MY SECOND BOOK OF MORMON DIARY

01-10--
TUESDAY

I Nephi (I Ni)

I Ni 2:5-78

*Nephi doesn't seek to write the things that are pleasing unto the world, but the things that are pleasing unto God and those who are not of this world.  He wants he and his seed to only write "what is of worth to the children of men".

I like how God rewarded Nephi's faithfulness with a wife to love.

"We did speak unto him (Ishmael) the words of the Lord." Did all four brethren speak the word of the Lord to Ishmael?

The two Sons of Ishmael were already married.  They rebelled "with their families".

v.16 How quickly do we forget our own spiritual experiences.

"Never doubt in the dark what you knew to be true in the light". But Laman and Lemuel did just that.

vv.19-20  I find it amazing how that later Laman and Lemuel both accept that Jerusalem was destroyed because of a vision of their father yet still try to kill Nephi.

v. 32 I like how one of the sons of Ishmael, who earlier rebelled and would later rebel, plead with one of the daughters of Ishmael and her mother for Nephi's life.  This shows that even a hardened man can show compassion.

v. 41 I have always enjoyed Lehi's dream and Nephi's vision in the next chapter.  I love how it is such a complete picture of every man's individual life's journey.

v. 50 The Love of God Is Sweet!

The strait and narrow path was referred to by Jesus in the Gospels, and the Doctrine and Covenants says we need to rely upon what is written in the Scriptures-
-the iron rod.

Many have commenced in the path that leads to Eternal Life but "few there be that find it" for "narrow is the gate" and "strait is the way"-Jesus.

Even those who press forward through the temptations of the devil are still at risk when they get to the Tree.
"He cautions even the Sanctified"
"With complacency comes vulnerability"-Master Yoda
Don't rest on your laurels.
2 Nephi says, once you have achieved the gate, is all done? Nay.
Fight the good fight until the rest is won.

v. 71 This great and spacious building are the ones who mock the believers. They are full of the pride of the world.  They have succumbed to the temptations of the devil to the point where they mock those who are struggling or fighting and partaking of the fruit.

v. 78 *Catch hold of the word.
        *press forward with an eye of faith single to Christ's glory.
        *hold fast to the word continually    
        *partake of the waters of life freely.