I will go and do...

Today we reach the chapter containing the famous "I will go and do" scripture. Primary songs have been written about it. Though the song may be a bit cheesy, Nephi's attitude is not. Let's explore this chapter and chapter 4.

Chapter 3

Verse 3: What are they being sent for? A record of the Jews, and a genealogy of their forefathers. They are being sent back for the scriptures and their family history. Does this verse show the importance of these things? I think so.

Verse 6: Nephi is told by Lehi that he will be favored because he has not complained. I thought that was great. It's not just how we do things, but more importantly our attitude about it.

Verse 7: The famous verse. Nephi's attitude is important, but I like the last part of the verse even more. There is nothing that the Lord commands us to do that we cannot obey. It's as simple as that. If we are given a commandment, we can obey it. It will take work, but it can be done.

Verses 14-15: Laman and Lemuel want to give up after having failed to obtain the plates by simply asking for them. Not a bad first attempt, but they are ready to give up after the first try. Nephi says they're not leaving until they get those plates.

Verses 16-21: Nephi persuades his brethren to keep trying by explaining how important these scriptures are. Do we have to be persuaded to appreciate the scriptures, or do we see them as the valuable treasure that they are?

Verses 22-29: They go back to their home, gather up their riches, take them to Laban and offer to trade him their money for the plates. Laban kicks them out and sends his guards to kill them, while also keeping their stuff for himself. Laman and Lemuel have had it by now and start beating Nephi and Sam with a stick (probably a big one). An angel comes to their rescue and promises that the Lord will deliver the plates into their hands. Even after seeing an angel Laman and Lemuel STILL have to complain and whine and say "Laban is power and can command fifty, yeah even slay fifty." They just don't get it.

Chapter 4

Verses 1-3: Nephi explains that the Lord is mightier than anyone. They don't need to fear, just trust in what the angel told them and go do it. Laman and Lemuel reluctantly go along.

Verse 6: Another famous scripture. Nephi is led by the Spirit, not knowing exactly what he's going to do. There are so many situations in life that we may not know exactly what to do, but I can certainly testify that the Spirit will guide us if we will pray for such guidance.

Verses 15-17: Nephi thinks about how important it is for him to obtain the scriptures for the sake of his descendants. He realizes that the Lord has delivered Laban into his hands, and obeys the command to kill him. I really like that Nephi is hesitant to kill Laban. Laban had tried to kill them twice and stolen all of their riches. Nephi could be angry with Laban and even feel a bit justified in killing him. But Nephi again shows his true character in being reluctant to take another person's life, even when it was the will of the Lord.

Verse 33: Zoram is promised not only that Nephi and his brethren will not kill him, but he is also promised freedom. To those of us who have always been free and have not been made to live a life of compulsory service to others this may not seem like much at first glance. But the promise of freedom to a man who had served a cruel master was very appealing. This verse helps me appreciate the freedom that I have and that all men should have.

There are many things to gather out of these two chapters. These are just a few things that stood out to me as I read them this time. There is so much to learn from the scriptures, and it is amazing how we can read the same words over and over but the Spirit can teach us different things each time. May the Spirit be with each of you as you read and ponder the scriptures.