Commitment and Conviction

1 Nephi 3

“I will go and do the things which the Lord, God, hath commanded me. . .” Not everything we’re asked to do is easy. In fact, sometimes the task we’re given seems to be quite beyond our own capacity to do. It was just after Nephi had returned from speaking with the Lord that his father told him the Lord required that he and his brothers should return to Jerusalem for the record of their fathers. This couldn’t have been an easy assignment – made even more difficult by the presence of brothers who didn’t have the same experience Nephi had had with the Lord. What made the difference between Nephi and Laman and Lemual? Commitment and conviction. Nephi knew it was the Lord who asked it of him and that the Lord would provide the way. Laman and Lemuel saw it as a request from the earthly father who they really hadn’t committed wholly to his efforts to save their family. Murmuring and resistance was their mode as opposed to approaching the Lord themselves for a witness that what they were doing was from the Lord. Why wouldn’t they go to the Lord? Because they really didn’t care what the Lord had to say anyway. They would do it their own way.

Do we have the commitment and conviction Nephi had? Do we approach the Lord for his guidance? I’m currently a little overwhelmed with a calling I had always thought was for women much more capable than I. I am finding out for myself that it’s not my work, and that as I give my best and turn to the Lord for help I’m guided. I’m given tender mercies, i.e. someone comes to me, I’m given an idea or whatever. So far, it’s worked. I’m guided at every turn. This is a blessing the Lord gives to those who will “go and do” whatever it is that is required to do His work.