1 Nephi 3

As I read this chapter several phrases popped.  Things that made me see Nephi's character.

1. he exhorts and encourages his brothers.  As a parent we need to teach, guide, instill, reprove, redirect,  and exhort our children so they can know what they should do.  We also need to cheer, help, reward, walk alongside of, point out the strengths of and provide opportunities to our children, or in other words encourage.

2. thou shalt be favored of the Lord because though has not murmured.  It is human nature to feel overwhelmed and discouraged and to think that what we are being asked to do is hard (or impossible) and that's okay.  But if we can feel that and then turn to the Lord with trust and do it anyway, with out murmuring we will be favored.

3. faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord.  That's a work in progress isn't it?

4.  trade the things of the world for the things of God.  The brothers literally tried to trade their wealth for the plates.  They also actually walked away from their wealth and possessions and position to follow the prophet (their father) into the wilderness.  We too are asked to trade the things of the world for the things of God.  We don't have to leave our stuff but we do have to value it less than we value God and His children.  We have to give in our abundance, and in our want.  We have to leave our entertainment and go to the temple. We have to turn off the TV and open up the scriptures.  We have to put aside our hobbies and spend time building our families, and walking the straight and narrow path with them.  We have to give our time to help and serve others, our money to tithe and build the kingdom of God, or talents to encourage and cheer and teach others.  We need to wear out our lives in the service of our God.