By the Power of the Holy Ghost

1 Nephi 10

I am so exhausted tonight the I'm going to read another short chapter and save juicy chapter 11 for tomorrow. This chapter is fantastic though. It puts Nephi in the role of observer (again) and he speaks about the teachings of his father. And guess what they're doing? Yep. Dwelling in a tent. (v 16)

Some thoughts:

in v2-13, Lehi outlines the basic history of the Jews and the other tribes of Israel. Blessed, scattered, Christ comes, scattered, blessed. It seems to me as if the Jews as a people have gone through and will go through a larger version of what we all go through in this life. They have been given choices (including that to accept Jesus Christ) and trials and gone through periods of great strife and darkness. But they will all be redeemed by the Savior in the end 'in the Lord's own due time'.

What I love though is that Lehi knows exactly where he and his family fall in this plan.

...It must needs be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.

He's perfectly aware that this journey of his is the beginning of a new nation of people. I can't imagine what that must have felt like. I wonder how many of his family members caught the vision with him and understood how important their trek was.

I know Nephi eventually got it. But I think the most comforting thing about this chapter is that he didn't ALWAYS have it. He says in v. 17, "I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him." I have to admit that I am so comforted when I realize that Nephi didn't always know the right answer. I imagine him scratching his head as he listened to his father's visions and dreams. I think of him longing for home a little bit and wondering why they're traveling so far, why they're waiting so long...and I love that Nephi knew the Lord well enough to understand that he could ask and find out for himself. What a wonderful blessing that verse is.

Nephi uses the phrase 'by the power of the Holy Ghost' or 'by the Holy ghost' 4 times in this chapter. He winds it up with "And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not." V 17-20 are excellent reminders to me that what worked for Adam worked for Moses and worked for Nephi and will work for ME. It's almost as if Nephi is prodding me with his reminder stick, all the way down through the ages.

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

Questions for later: What mysteries of God would I like to know more about anyway? What of those have already been unfolded to me when I've diligently sought answers?