In other words, a Savior of the world.

Chapter 9

This is a short chapter, just six verses, but there is some good insight here.

Verse 3: Nephi is keeping the commandment from the Lord to make a record of the ministry of his people. I like how this fits in nicely with what he says in verse 5, that these plates are made for a purpose but he doesn't know what it is. He's making two sets of plates, which might have seemed redundant, but it was for a wise purpose that was known by the Lord. We also are given commandments or promptings from the Spirit that we don't completely understand or that may seem redundant or unnecessary. When we follow, we are blessed.

Verse 6: This verse points out that the Lord knows it all and prepares a way for his designs to be accomplished. I believe that is true even in our own lives. The Lord has a plan for each of us, which also fits into the "big plan" of happiness. The Lord prepares us and circumstances in our lives in order for His purposes to be accomplished.

Chapter 10

Chapter 10 is where we really start getting into the doctrine of a savior, or a redeemer. Lehi testifies of the Savior and of His earthly ministry.

Verse 4: Lehi gets very specific and prophesies of the exact time when the Savior shall come. In just two verses (4-5), Jesus Christ is given three titles: Messiah, Savior, Redeemer. I think all of these titles work together to convey who He is and what He has done for us.

Verse 6: Without the Savior we are all lost and fallen, and will remain as such unless we rely on Him.

Verse 11: Lehi prophesies of the Savior's death and resurrection. How much faith this would have taken to believe in Him. This is 600 years before Christ is even born. It'd be like looking forward to someone that would be born around 2608 and knowing that this person would have an eternal impact on you. I think we almost have it a bit easier today. Jesus Christ's life is generally accepted as historical fact, though many people argue who and what He was. It may not be hard to agree that He existed, but it still takes great faith for us today to follow the path that He showed us.

Verse 17: Nephi hears his father testify of these things and he "was desirous also that I might...know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him." Nephi's example here is great. He hears his father's testimony, feels the Spirit, wants to know these things for himself. What an awesome example of how the Spirit can touch each of us and give us that desire to know that things are true for ourselves. It's not enough for us just to feel the Spirit and not put forth the effort required to gain our own testimonies. Each time we feel the Spirit it does strengthen our testimonies, but it also takes our own effort to grow closer to the Lord. Laman and Lemuel heard these same things but don't seem to have done anything further about it.

Verse 18: The plan has been from "the foundation of the world" that if we repent and come unto the Savior we will receive exaltation. We knew the rules and came to earth to follow the plan. It's not always easy going through this mortal life, but I am certain that at the end of it if we have followed the Savior it will be more than worth it. We cannot even imagination what lies beyond this life if we will but follow the plan and do those things that will bring us home to our Father in heaven and his son, Jesus Christ.