Post by Nephi –
This will certainly not surprise you to hear that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael are angry again. And of course, it is a result of my admonishing them of the Lord. It has only been a few days since my father was buried. Most of what my father and I spoke to them is written in another record which also contains a more complete history of our journeyings. But for now, I want this blog to contain the things of my soul and I will share with you some of the writings of the plates of brass. I love the scriptures, my heart ponders them and the reason I share them with you is for your benefit and for the benefit of my children.
I love the things of God, I think about them all the time. Yet despite how good the Lord has been to me – and believe me, He has shown me great and marvelous works, yet, my heart is so sorrowful because of my weakness, my soul grieves because of my sins.
As I read back through these blogs, I am a bit remorse to see how I make it appear that my older brothers are the only ones to suffer the effects of sin and temptations. I want to make it clear that I too am easily beset with the weakness of the flesh, so much so it makes my heart groan, even though I know in whom I have trusted.
My dear Lord has been my support, He has led me through my afflictions in the wilderness, He preserved me as we crossed the sea. He has filled me with His love, so much so that it feels like His love is consuming my soul. I have watched Him confound my enemies, even to making them quake before me. He has heard my prayers in the day and has taught me through visions and night. During the days I tend to get bold in prayer to Him, quite vocal actually. And He sends angels to minister to me.
I have been carried away on the wings of His Spirit to very high mountains. My eyes have seen great things, things too great for man to see, things so great that I was commanded not to write them. So, if I have had such great experiences, if the Lord in His condescension to the children of men, has been so merciful to me particularly, why should I be so low and sorrowful and my heart weeps? How can I yield to sin and give way to temptations allowing the evil one a place in my heart to destroy the peace that should fill my soul? Why am I angry because of my enemy?
Snap out of it! Wake up my soul! Quit wallowing in sin! Heart, Rejoice! Give no more place to the enemy of my soul. Stop being angry because of my enemies and stop slacking off because of afflictions. Rejoice and cry to the Lord and say: Lord, I praise thee forever, my soul will rejoice in thee, the rock of my salvation. Please Lord, will thou please redeem my soul, deliver me out of the hands of my enemies? Please make me to quake at the very appearance of sin?
Please shut the gates of hell before me because my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite. Please open the gates of thy righteousness before me so I can walk in thy path no matter how low or plain it may be.
Please wrap me in thy robe of righteousness! Give me a way to escape my enemies, please don’t place stumbling blocks in my way, in fact will thou please clear my path, but get in the way of my enemies.
I trust in thee oh Lord and I will forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh for I know that the arm of flesh would only result in cursing and failure. I know the Lord God will give liberally to all that ask. I know He gives to me if I ask what is right.
I will pray to thee my Lord yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:12 – 35)
