One thing that has always stood out to me each time I read the Book of Mormon is when Nephi mentions that he was highly favoured of the Lord (see 1 Nephi 1:1). What was it that made him highly favoured?
Obviously obedience to the Lord must have been one of the characteristics that endeared him to the Lord, as it would for any parent, but are there any other characteristics that one can model themselves upon to receive the same level of favouritism?
The only other instance in the Book of Mormon that mentions someone being highly favoured of the Lord is found in Ether 1:34. Here the Lord has just confounded the language of the people who were building a tower in Babel and Jared, obviously concerned for his family and how they would continue long-held traditions and cultural practices, turns to the one person he recognises as being “highly favoured of the Lord” – his brother Mahonri-moriancumer.
Recognising the favour placed upon him by the Lord Jared asks Mahonri to “cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words.” Now who amongst us that has children does not lend a greater ear to those of our children that listen and obey our words? But surely a key component to listening to one child more than another is that they tend to turn to us more readily for counsel and advice.
This need to call upon the Lord to remain favoured of him is highlighted in Ether 2:14 when the Lord chastens Mahonri for having not called upon him. Furthermore, the last two lines in chapter one indicate why the Lord is willing to bless Mahonri and his seed, “And thus will I do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.” Nephi exhibits the same yearning to call upon God in 1 Nephi 2:16 when he desires to know and understand the vision of his father.
Hence, it is clear that to be highly favoured of the Lord one must, “come to God [and] weary him until he blesses you”(words of Joseph Smith recorded in Willard Richards Pocket Companion, 78-79).
1 Nephi 3 contains one of the most memorised verses in the book of Mormon in which Nephi displays his intention to always keep the commandments. But the verse just before it is often overlooked in my opinion and holds another key to being not only favoured of the Lord but being ‘highly’ favoured of him.
Lehi has just expressed his disappointment and frustration to his son Nephi that Laman & Lemuel continue to murmur at the Lord’s commands. He then counsels his son to go “and thou shalt be favoured of the Lord, because thou hast not murmured.”
How many times have you read through the scriptures and been amazed at how often the Lord’s chosen people have murmured against him? We have the examples of the children of Israel in the wilderness and Laman & Lemuel in the book of Mormon. Clearly the Lord witholds his favour from those who lack faith by constantly murmuring against him.
Conversely, there are no bounds on the blessings the Lord is willing to bestow upon those who “submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord” (Mosiah 24:15).
These are just a few of the insights I’ve gained from my reading, please feel free to share your own thoughts and impressions.
May we all learn from the examples displayed in the book of Mormon and qualify ourselves to be highly favoured of the Lord by obeying his commandments, diligently calling upon his name, and doing all things without murmuring. If we do this we shall enjoy the blessings the Lord has already prepared for us.
'Highly favoured' and 'many afflictions' seem to go hand in hand. If it happened to prophets like Nephi then we should not be surprised that this is also the pattern of our lives. Challenges mixed with blessings. "It's not how the wind blows, but how you set your sails that counts."
ReplyDelete1 and 2 Nephi shows that when presented with the same challenges the faithful obey without murmuring and are highly favoured while the faithless murmur and a cursed.
Which would you rather be? Which is easiest?
Mosiah 3:19 gives us some keys to being highly favoured.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this topic. Just recently one of our children asked for a PPI (outside the usual ones). This simple request touched us both for many reasons - but esp their willingness to seek our counsel and advice in times of need.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, my faith and conviction to do better was lifted significantly when reading King Benjamins sermon. I esp like Mosiah 4: 10 when he tells his people 'if ye believe these things then see that ye do them'. I just felt like he was talking to me, telling me to get on with things, and stop thinking about what i need to do and get on with doing it.