1st Nephi Chapter 1 Verse 1

Today I began reading 1 Nephi Chapter 1 in the Book of Mormon.  Verse 1 has been read by millions of people over and over and over again, but have they ever really thought about what it meant? I find several things interesting about this first verse. 

1. Nephi identifies himself personally. That might bring a 'duh' from the audience because of course he IS the author of this book. But why did he begin that way? Did you notice I began mine and never even mentioned who I was? I wonder if he was instructed to identify himself, or was taught it was proper etiquette, or was a tradition in his culture. I don't know, but it is nice not to have to wonder "who is this guy and what qualifies him to write this text?" Oh, and I'm Susan, by the way
2. Nephi states he was born of goodly parents.  I have often wondered why Nephi would begin his writings by telling us this.  What does the word "goodly" mean?  Just plain 'good' or does it go deeper, meaning goodly as in pleasant, desired, upright or affluent? It doesn't really matter to me right now.  I am just grateful he didn't write 'born of perfect parents'.  I am at that stage of life where I look back and think 'what kind of parent was I really?'  We all have pictures in our heads of what WE think we were like; what our children think we were like; what others think we were like and what we were really like.  Did I do everything right? No, but I can honestly say I tried and I was the best parent I could be at the time. I hope my own children's hearts will soften and know that too someday if they feel otherwise. I'm thankful I was born of 'goodly parents'....not perfect, but they gave me a solid foundation to build my life on, have been a positive influence my entire life and are wonderful to me and my family even today. Not everyone can say that.  Thank you Harold and Marilyn Horrocks!
3. Nephi was educated.....both spiritually, secularlly and culturally.  He was taught somewhat in all the learning of his father.  His parents were responsible people and saw to it that their children were educated.  Obviously he could read and write...both in Hebrew and Egyptian.  How many Jews of his day had that? He sounds intelligent when he writes and is able to explain situations and principles in a meaningful way.  Today we have all the tools around us to obtain a great education yet how many people take it for granted or throw it away?  I listen to the news and interviews sometimes and wonder 'where did they find these people? Do they even know what they are saying or how stupid or unintelligent they look and sound?  They can't even speak proper English!"  I know, unkind....but that is why many thoughts stay in my head and never come out....until today. I am thankful my parents taught me and educated me in 'their ways'.....now it is still up to me to use it all in a positive, meaningful way.  I am grateful Randy and I (yep, finally mentioned my husband's name) always valued education and planned our life so we could help our own children go on and get a higher education, both secularly and spiritually.  3 of the 4 have graduated from college so far and the last is on the path.  But more than secularly, I hope my children will continue to educate themselves spiritually.  I feel it is their spiritual education that will give them the most guidance and best hope for a great future.  I hope as adults they will continue to ponder the scriptures, serve in the church and make the gospel a central part of their lives.
4. Nephi did not have a perfect life.  He was a normal person!  He saw many afflictions in his days and suffered personal ones as well....but it is how he faced them and what he did about them that set him apart from his brothers.
5. Nephi was very aware of the Lord and His influence and relevance in his life.  This is what got him through life......his faith in Jesus Christ; his willingness to repent often; his partaking of the ordinances and living the commandments; his constant reliance on and guidance of the Holy Ghost and his hope for the blessings promised through obedience by (this is the really tricky one) continually enduring to the end (or SMF--steadily moving forward) no matter what obstacles he faced.  I hope to be like Nephi.

This picture of Nephi was draw by our friend and artist Chris White from Vancouver, WA.