[KeithLBrown]

I have completed the reading for day 1 and I find that no matter how many times I read the Scriptures, I always come away refreshed with new insights and a better understanding of some things than I had before.

There is so much that we can take awy from today's reading, but I would like to focus on the Book of Mormon and 4 life lessons that we learn from Nephi:

First, he was devoted. He loved and respected his parents and did not take for granted those things which he had been taught and learned about the goodness of the Lord. In 1 Nephi 1:1-2 we read: "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents , therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. Yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians.

Second, he was obedient. In 1 Nephi 3:7 we read, "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: 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.

Third, he was committed. In 1 Nephi 3:15 we read, "But behold I said unto them that: As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us."

Fourth, he was faithful. In 1 Nephi 4:1-3 we read, "And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands? Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea. Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt? Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.

May it be said of all of us as we strive to live a life that is pleasing unto the Lord that we are devoted, obedient, commited, and faithful.