1 Nephi Chapter 9

For a Wise Purpose
Although this is a short chapter I think this chapter teaches a very profound lesson about following the commandments and the counsel of prophets  for a "wise purpose" even when we know not the purpose.
May I respond like Nephi, " But the Lord knoweth all things  from the beginning; wherefore he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words."

1 Nephi Chapter 8

I was in a 5th Sunday lesson where they referenced this chapter and pointed out the 4 C's of the Path to Eternal Life:
Commence
Catch Hold
Cling
Continually Holding Fast

1 Nephi Chapter 7

In verse 11 Nephi says "Yea and how is it that ye have forgotten what great things the Lord hath done for us."  How quick I am at times to forget all the grea things He has done for me.
Nephi says in verse 12 " Yea and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.
And you know that these are not words for Nephi but he truly believes because in verse 17 he calls upon the Lord to deliver him from the cords with which his brothers have bound him...and he asks the Lord to do it according to his faith. And minutes later the cords are loosed.

1 Nephi Chapter 6

I love that Nephi explains that he is not writing things that are pleasing unto the world but things that are pleasing unto God and those who are not of the world.  He goes ont to say that he shall give a commandment to only fill  these plates with things that are of worth.

I had two thoughts on this matter: (1) What am I filling my life with...things that are pleasing unto the world...vacations, amusement parks, movies, tv shows, etc. or things that are of worth...scripture study, FHE, family time. (2) I was humbled.  It has been hard for me to get through the whole Book Of Mormon.  I hope I can really focus on it this time and not be distracted by the things of the world and I pray that I may read understand it's great worth.

1 Nephi Chapter 5

I have to say that it actually makes me feel a little better to hear that Sariah complained against her husband the prophet. It shows me that we are humans and it is hard  to completely trust in the Lord. I can't imagine her worry as her sons returned to get the plates. 
It is a good reminder to me to get on my knees instead of complaining.

Converted to Christ

Another great Relief Society Lesson given by Sister Dew.  She told the story of a fireside given by a member of the seventy where he asked the people how you could tell when a person was converted to Christ.
The people in the audience threw out answers while the man wrote them on a whiteboard until the whole board was covered.
Then he erased them all and said while they were all good answers, in his experience you could tell a true follower of Christ by "How They Treat Other People."
We read several scriptures about loving people.  3 Nephi 12:22, 25, 44.  3 Nephi13:14-15 and Mosiah 7:32-33 .
I was very humbled by this lesson.  Just that morning I had been upset with Kylie for taking too long in the shower.  The way I treated her didn't show that I was a follower of Christ.
In general those that I love I tend to give the benefit of the doubt, easily forgive, and treat well...why not my family.
Sister Dew near the end of her lesson talked about how these lessons were all well and good but usually their effect wear off as we go about our daily lives. So we really need to find out how to change.
In Elder Uchtdorf's 2012 April Conference talk "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" he gives us the HOW.  He says "when our hearts are filled with the love of God, something good and pure happens to us."  "The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions-the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts-the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glwoing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade."

1 Nephi Chapter 4

The Lord's Might-Sometimes I forget how mighty the Lord is.  If he can bring the children of Israel through the red sea, and other miraculous events couldn't he help me with my problems and trials.

Wherefore Can Ye Doubt-The Lord has never given us reason to doubt.

Led By the Spirit-We don't have to know beforehand what will happen or how things will work out if we let ourselves be led by the spirit.

1 Nephi Chapter 3

I Have Not Required It of You-I love this line.  So many time we think it is the bishop asking us to fill a calling or the Relief Society President imploring us to do our visiting teaching, but they have not required of us, but the Lord.