Nephi was the author of the first two books (sections) of the Book of Mormon. He was the son of a prophet named Lehi who lived in Jerusalem around 600 b.c. but who was commanded to flee the city with his family because it would later be destroyed. Nephi records his struggles, triumphs and insights as he and his family travel in the wilderness on their way to what is now known as the Americas, at the beginning of the Book of Mormon.
One of his most well-known declarations is found on page 6 (1 Nephi 3:7) where he says, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them.”
I’m grateful to have Nephi’s example of obedience and faith in my life. His testimony has strengthened my own as I have read his words and worked to be valiant like he was. It is reassuring to know that Heavenly Father will always make it possible for me to be successful as I try to keep His commandments and live as He expects me to live. I know that the things Nephi wrote are applicable to all of us and that thanks to the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ we can enjoy and learn from the words of the Lord’s Prophets from the Book of Mormon.
If you are interested in reading the Book of Mormon you can access it electronically at lds.org/scriptures (The Bible is also available on this site) or if you want your own copy of the book, you can contact the missionaries near you and they will hand deliver it to you. Either way, it is free and it is worth studying.