Testimony

©Darrell Wyatt

I felt such a connection to Nephi as I read today, more of a connection than I've ever felt before.  I don't want this to sound irreverent, but I realized as I was reading the end of his record that for the past twenty or so chapters, Nephi was doing much the same thing as I am doing with my blog.  He was keeping a record of his thoughts as he read the book of Isaiah.  Please don't misunderstand.  I'm not comparing myself spiritually to a prophet of the Lord.  Nephi's record is, of course, of much more importance to the world than my little blog.  I am mostly writing for my own benefit, whereas Nephi was writing for the benefit of his people and their descendants and all of the millions of other people that he knew through revelation would also read it.  But there was just something about the words that he said that made me feel such a closeness to him.  His words had a little bit of a feeling of inadequacy - "neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking" (2 Nephi 33:1) - that I really found quite endearing.  He understood all those thousands of years ago how difficult it is to convey one's thoughts and emotion into writing:

...for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men. (2 Nephi 33:1)

He knew that many people would discount his words and harden their hearts against the spirit.  These people wouldn't understand the importance of the things that he wrote or that he wrote them under the direction and power of the spirit of God. 

But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people.  For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

...And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. (2 Nephi 33:3-4)

The Lord had revealed so much to Nephi.  He knew the trials of faith that his people would go through, and the wars and the destruction they would face because of their wickedness.  He wanted his record to be a witness to them that he knew of these things and that he had been commanded to write of them.

And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye - for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. (2 Nephi 33:11)

What better witness will there be of the truthfulness of Nephi's record than Christ himself?  Nephi was just a man.  He was a man who decided to trust in the Lord and follow his commandments.  He could have murmured as Laman and Lemuel did, but he chose not to.  He had faith that "the Lord gives no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them" (1 Nephi 3:7).  So he did as he was asked.  He kept the records of his family history safe from harm and paved the way for them to be handed down from generation to generation for the good of his people.  He kept a record of his days on the earth and commanded that those after him do so as well, most at great personal risk. He saw that all the ends of the earth would someday have his record, and he knew that some would believe and that many would not.

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ...(2 Nephi 33:10)

I guess, when it comes right down to it, that is my hope for my blog, also.  I know that because of the nature of the internet, there will be people from all walks of life who stumble upon the things that I'm writing.  Some will agree with the things I say, some will not.  But no matter what else anyone gets from reading these simple posts of mine, I hope to convey the message that I believe in Jesus Christ.  He is my Savior and Redeemer.  He atoned for my personal sins and trials.  I know that He lives.  I know that He will come again. I love Him with every ounce of my being and I am striving to live in such a way that I will be able to live with Him again someday.  My gratitude for his sacrifice is immeasurable.  I hope that, no matter our differences in beliefs, those who read my blog will be able to see that I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ.

And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day. (2 Nephi 33:12)

Click here to read what I read today!